Did you ever notice that when you haven’t eaten in a while, your mood is greatly sacrificed? Some people experience this feeling more than others and it can actually cause fits of rage, anxiety and even depression.
Eating the right foods doesn’t only provide your body with the proper nutrition, it actually helps promote brain health and can make a huge difference in the way you feel on a day-to-day basis. According to a study conducted by researchers at Penn State, women who are dieting and worried about their self-image can actually experience a great reduction in their overall well-being, when dieting is taken to the next level. Luckily, there are some great foods that are healthy, allow you to maintain a proper diet and help promote brain health.
Oatmeal is a great food for your brain, diet and mood because it contains high amounts of fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full, while regulating your blood sugar. When you eat this nutritious food, it forms a gel- like substance in the stomach, helping to slow down the rate in which food leaves your stomach. In turn, you’re able to keep a full stomach longer, which will keep you nourished without feeling hungry shortly after. This healthy choice is great for either breakfast or lunch, and it can be combined with a variety of different fruits for added flavor and nutrition. Make sure you look for organic oatmeal that is unsweetened and gluten-free.
Salmon is a great choice because it’s a wholesome food that offers large amounts of vitamin D. Your levels of vitamin D tend to drop greatly when the cold comes around, so adding this food to your diet will help with your health and mood. Actually, recent research has shown that increasing the level of vitamin D in your diet can actually improve your serotonin levels, which is essential for a happy and healthy mood.
Lentils are another wonderful food that’s known for boosting both physical and emotional health. They contain a very high amount of folic acid, which is shown to help promote a good mood. One cup actually contains 90% of the daily allowance of folic acid, and contains good amounts of protein and fiber as well. This particular food will help fill you up, keep you feeling full, provide you with healthy nutrition, and regulate many important brain functions. According to a study done at Harvard University, a folic acid deficiency is the cause of depression in over 38% of women. By eating lentils as part of your regular diet, it will help promote healthy metabolism of serotonin, noradrenaline 
and dopamine, which are all essential for creating a positive mood.
So, next time you’re considering skipping a meal, or taking your diet to the extreme, remember that losing a couple pounds can certainly be achieved, but when it puts your mental health in jeopardy, the results are simply not worth it. Opt for these healthy meal choices and lose weight, while nourishing your brain.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130315202726.htm
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/moodfood.htm
