It’s no secret that a majority of us feel a little testy when our diet is out of whack. Instead of reaching for quick and easy foods that don’t offer the nutrition you need, try sticking to the following key foods that’ll help you turn that frown upside down.
Hangry? We can fix that.
One of the biggest offenders of bad-mood triggers is feeling hungry, so if you find your mood dips significantly in between meals, consider making a change. Some people have found that grazing on healthy, fiber and protein rich foods is the way to go. Both fiber and protein have been shown to increase satiety, so they’ll keep you feeling satisfied for longer. Give our Chocolate Quinoa Protein Bites a try! And yes, the added bonus is chocolate.
Cacao-yeah!
Speaking of chocolate - cacao is chocolate in its natural, raw form with no additives. Although some people may be turned off by its bitter taste, cacao actually works wonders when it comes to boosting your mood in a short amount of time. This magical plant contains an enormous amount of antioxidants and what we like to call happy hormones: tryptophan, serotonin, and phenylethylamine which are proven to increase the feeling of happiness in the brain. So the next time you’re feeling down, treat yourself to some exercise (always good for improving mood!), high quality chocolates, or whip up a special dessert like our Double Chocolate Banana Protein Soft Serve.
The Greener the Better
Ready to up your intake of leafy greens? While we could all probably stand to get more green in our lives, spinach, kale and swiss chard contain high levels of folic acid, a necessary nutrient that have been shown to help alleviate symptoms of depression and can even help you to feel less sluggish throughout the day.
Fermented Foods: Sounds weird, tastes great!
Believe it or not your gut controls a lot of what goes on in your brain. When we say listen to your gut, we’re not exactly referring to potential bad decisions or whether or not your abs can handle that second workout of the day. According to Eating Well, recent studies in animals and humans suggest that there is a direct link between balanced gut bacteria and better mood. Whether you choose to add a spoonful or two of sauerkraut to your daily lunches or prefer to enjoy a refreshing Berry Yogurt Pop on a hot day, adding fermented foods and probiotics into your daily diet is a great start to keeping your gut and your mood in good health.
