5 Healthy Good Mood Foods

#5 Dark Chocolate

Mood food, sure, but health food? Yes, according to researchers in Europe. Studies have shown that dark chocolate contains plenty of cancer-fighting antioxidants, as well as cocoa phenols that help lower blood pressure. It also contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that stimulates endorphin production and makes you feel slightly euphoric, making dark chocolate good mood food #5. Just remember, this food is high in calories, so eat it in moderation.

Dark Chocolate

#4 Peppermint Tea

There’s nothing like tea time to raise your spirits. Peppermint tea has been prescribed throughout the ages for symptoms ranging from the cold to digestive problems. This calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin b-rich drink will not only help strengthen the immune system, but the flavor and smell of peppermint has been shown to decrease both stress and anxiety, putting it at number 4 on this list.

Peppermint Tea

#3 Egg Whites

Fry your depression away with egg whites. They’re a great source of an amino acid called tryptophan, which is essential in maintaining a healthy mental disposition. In fact, people with tryptophan deficient diets are much more likely to be depressed than people who are eating sufficient amounts. This is because tryptophan is one of the primary ingredients a body needs to make serotonin, a chemical essential to feeling happy. Egg whites are also extremely high in protein and contain no fats or cholesterol, making it healthy good mood food .

Egg Whites

#2 Oranges

Feeling blue? Try an orange. Oranges are super-fruits that contain high amounts of vitamin C and flavonoids, and have been linked to preventing cancer, reducing cholesterol, boosting the immune system, curing arteriosclerosis, and protecting the skin. Amazingly, oranges can also boost your mood—and you don’t even have to eat them. It’s been shown that citrus scents (lemon and tangerine included) have a positive effect on the neurotransmitters in the brain and curb stress and depression, bringing oranges to the #2 spot on this list.

Oranges

#1 Salmon

Send that bad mood downstream and eat some salmon. Vitamins D, A, B, and minerals like selenium, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and iron are just a few of the nutrients found in salmon, but omega-3 fatty acids are the most well-known. In conjunction with other nutrients, eating more omega-3 has been shown to help protect the nervous system from the damages of aging and have been used to help treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Another awesome effect of increasing your omega-3 intake is that it promotes the growth of brain cells and receptor sites for neurotransmitter, meaning that your brain will produce more serotoninandyou will be more responsive to its effects. Salmon, like egg whites, also contains tryptophan, making it that much more of a “happy dish”—and putting it at the top of the list of 5 healthy good mood foods.

Sam Omidi is a health coach, educator, and blogs about the weight loss and training ecosphere. He is the founder of WeightLossandTraining.com, a health blog that specializes in just about everything in the fitness world, including carb cycling meal plans. Sam works to help people take control of their fitness destiny through a comprehensive and holistic approach, tailor-fitted to their goals.

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