Good Mood Foods: Nutritional Psychiatry

Eating a diet rich in good-mood foods is a healthy, supportive way to feel better. It turns out that “you are what you eat” actually has some truth to it. After all, if you have high cholesterol, you change your diet to fix it right? The same theory also goes for mental health. If you’re feeling down, changing your diet can help boost your mood.

Nutritional Psychiatry uses nutritional science and evidence-based research to improve mental well-being. It’s important to know that nutritional psychiatry doesn’t replace medication or therapy. It’s just a way to supplement these things as a way to improve mental well-being. The gut does actually maintain more than 90% of the body’s serotonin receptors. Therefore, what we eat directly affects both our gut and our brain.

To protect your gut, make sure to include some fiber and probiotics in your diet. These ingredients actively work to improve your mental and physical health. They even boost your immune system and a healthy gut directly impacts an individual’s immune system. For more good mood foods, check out the list below:

Blueberries– These delicious berries are high in antioxidants.
Salmon– This fish is high in omega 3, which targets anxiety and depression.
Dark chocolate – A super dark, more natural chocolate, tastes delicious and has antioxidants.
Leafy greens – Leafy green vegetables contain folate which improves mood.
Green tea – An alternative to coffee, green tea contains EGCG, which provides a boost of energy and can help an individual feel better.
Turmeric– This spice can be used as a supplement or mixed with tea. It should be taken or eaten with a pinch of black pepper to activate it.