Food and Mood

8 April 2016 11:35 am

The food fix to suit your mood

By Shabnam Farook Whether you’re trying to maintain that ray of sunshine in your life or ward off the moody blues, the food you eat can certainly help to enhance, restore and rejuvenate your body and soul. So here’s a list of emotions and accompanying food that ensure that your smile lasts all day long.

Sadness

If you’re feeling glum and yearn for a jolt of happiness try increasing your intake of oily fish to boost your brain and mood. Oily fish is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help ward off depression, negativity and mood swings.

Fear

Many people suffer from different kinds of phobias (eg. fear of heights, spiders etc). Believe it or not, your diet might be the cause of these irrational fears and anxiety. So make sure you that you take in plenty of folate rich food like lentils, beans, leafy green vegetables.

Anger

Next time you feel a rage coming on try reaching  for some nuts and seeds to help calm you down. Research has shown that Omega-3 deficiency can contribute to aggressive behaviour of adults and children. You can also attempt to keep your cool by having cucumber or a cup of yoghurt. But stay away from aerated drinks and alcohol as they aggravate the emotion.    

Love struck

Want to feel some tender loving care for your sweetie, try eating food that is rich in zinc like oysters and other shellfish, nuts and seeds that keep your desire quotient at a high.

Heartbreak

Most women find comfort in chocolate, when they have to cope with heartbreak. Ever wondered why? This is because chocolate contains several chemicals that beat the breakup blues, while also helping to calm you down. So the good news is snacking on dark chocolate (in moderation!) is good for your health.

Anxiety

Is that impending big interview or presentation causing the jitters? Try replacing your coffee with a calming herbal tea. Potatoes, lime water, and protein rich food like grilled paneer have also been recommended as anxiety relievers. Try avoiding fried food or caffeine it could aggravate your anxiety.

Stress

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a busy day or find it difficult to wind down after work, try snacking on food that is rich in Omega 3 as it helps the body to restore magnesium which increases that body’s ability to cope with stress.

‘Brain fog’

If you’re feeling unfocused, forgetful and your brain feels like its just running low, give your brain a boost with a cup of green tea. As around 80 per cent of the brain is made up of water, drinking fluids will help keep it hydrate and function at optimum levels. Green tea also helps maintain alertness by regulating blood sugar levels.

Lethargy

Whether you’re suffering from lack of sleep or are generally feeling lethargic, drinking beetroot juice could help revive your energy levels. Beetroot has a high sugar content and many energizing nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin C. (Images courtesy internet)