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Food and Mood

Submitted by Stella Morgan on July 21, 2010

Health experts believe that certain foods can cause certain reactions in the chemical composition of the brain. What you eat can effect the perception of pain, level of alertness and even your mood. Here is how you can work on your moods by eating certain foods:

Protein: This will help you become alert and energetic. You can get protein from foods like eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. You can also eat legumes, tofu, milk, and cheese for your protein requirement.

Carbohydrates: Eat foods rich in complex carbohydrates to de-stress and relax. Studies have shown that people on crash diets, often go off carbohydrates, and this tends to make them more depressed as their serotonin levels drop. You can get healthy carbohydrates from rice, whole grain pasta, crackers, and whole grain breads.

Folic acid: This is important for countering depression. People who have folic acid deficiency have low level of serotonin in their brain. Even a little bit of folic acid in your food can help treat depression. Try adding some spinach to your meals or drink a glass of orange juice.

Selenium: Bad moods can be caused because of lack of selenium.

Some of the other negative effects of less selenium are depression, hostility, irritability, and anxiety. You can get your daily dose of selenium from swordfish, whole grain cereals, sunflower seeds, tuna, and Brazil nuts.

Choline: Here is your chance to start eating eggs again. While most people shun choline since its high in cholesterol, this vitamin B complex is good for concentration and memory.

You can get choline from foods like liver and eggs.

Mood foods: Try some of these foods for your overall well being and mental health.

Foods for alertness: Incorporate foods with protein and healthy carbohydrates that are low in fat. When you are feeling low or lethargic, pack in some poultry, fish, shellfish, low-fat yoghurt, beans, dried peas, low-fat milk, cottage cheese, and lean beef.

Food for being calm: Eat carbohydrates with a low Glycemic Index to feel more calm and focussed. You can get these from wheat pastas, sweet potato, pita bread, sourdough rye bread, whole grain rye bread, buckwheat, and brown rice.

Foods for smartness: It is believed that a feeling of general wellbeing and smartness can be attained through foods with choline. These include beef, liver, milk, and eggs. Antioxidant rich prunes and other fruits will prevent mental deterioration and memory loss, while foods like oatmeal that contain complex carbohydrates and less fat, are good for enhancing your memory.