Healthy Tips from The Loft Kitchen
Did you know that eating certain types of foods, can actually help boost your mood?
Feeling lethargic throughout the day, or do you need something to help you get going Midway through the day?
There have been several recent studies published showing that by eating certain foods you can dramatically increase not only your waistline, but your mood and attitude as well!
According to Healthline, just by adding certain foods into your daily routine you can automatically increase your chances for a brighter outlook and better outcome for your day.
Too often we reach for certain foods for comfort, or snacks on items thinking it will instantly give you a boost of energy, which it does….until, of course, you crash.
Foods like sugar, sodas, candies and things of that nature that we reach for when we’re down. They’re quick, easy, and they work….in that instant, but leave you with extra pounds and not any more energized down the line.
However, for some of us, we take a bite thinking it’ll remind us of our childhood and we’ll instantly be happy and transformed. However, this is doesn’t work in the long run either.
Fortunately, studies are now showing that there are foods that can give you that same effect, but instead of an instant quick head rush from sugar, you can have a long-lasting and meaningful boost in your mood and behavior.
For our family, who love to snack, and always need energy as we are running from one practice or museum or outdoor park to the next, we try to incorporate some of these Super Food staples into our weekly eating regimen.
Here are a few of the foods and items that can help boost your day as:
- Fatty Fish -Fish like salmon and albacore tuna are rich in two types of Omega-3s and DHA.
These are linked to lower levels of depression and contribute to the fluidity of your brain’s cell membrane and play key roles in brain development.
Food Suggestion for the week: How about having a Tuna and Pepper Wrap for lunch?!
It’s a great alternative to regular deli sandwiches and is delicious.
2. Fermented Foods – Your gut will thank you.
Foods like yogurt, Kombucha, and sauerkraut are high on the list of foods that can instantly give your mood a boost. About 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in your gut, a healthy gut may correspond to a good mood. Foods like these are rich in probiotics that support your gut health. For us, we often turn to yogurt as the foundation of our smoothies and they are delicious!!
Try a using a few super mood foods, blueberries, oats, and yogurt! The bonus is, it tastes just like a Blueberry muffin!!
3. Grab A Chiquita Banana – Bananas can help to turn your frown upside down!
They are high in vitamin B6, which helps the feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin do their job and make you smile! They also contain a large amount of fiber. When paired with fiber, sugar is released slowly into your bloodstream, allowing for stable blood sugar levels and better mood control.
4. Oats – Oats are a whole grain that can provide sustainable good spirits.
You can try oatmeal, muesli, and our personal favorite, granola. They are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps slow your digestion of carbs, allowing a gradual release of sugar into the bloodstream to keep your energy levels stable.
Oats are also a great source of Iron. For many people who have iron deficiency anemia, oats help to boost your iron intake and substantially improve your day!
Try a Granola Breakfast Bar recipe for an immediate kick!
5. It’s Berry Time – Berries pack a wide range of antioxidants and other compounds that combat stress.
They are also rich in disease-fighting anthocyanins, which may lower your risk of depression!
Next time you are at the grocery store, make sure to add a lot of the colorful berries to your cart. Not just the standard strawberry, & blueberry, indulge in raspberries, goji, cranberries, blackberries, and more!
Looking for a decadent dessert that cuts calories and will leave you smiling from ear to ear? Look no further than this amazingly delicious Parfait recipe from the Loft Kitchen that combines several of our superfoods mentioned in this article.
Happy Eating!
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