When you’re feeling down, it can be tempting to turn to food to lift your spirits. However, the sugary, high calorie treats that many people resort to have negative consequences of their own.

Thus, you may wonder whether any healthy foods can improve your mood.

Yes, there’s a lot behind nutrition and mental health connected to each other. Certain foods have been shown to improve overall brain health and certain types of mood disorders.

Here are 9 healthy foods that may boost your mood.

• Fatty fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may lower your risk of depression.
• Dark chocolate is rich in compounds that may increase feel-good chemicals in your brain.
• Since up to 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in your gut, a healthy gut may correspond to a good mood. Fermented foods like kimchi, yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics that support gut health.
• Bananas are a great source of natural sugar, vitamin B6, and prebiotic fibre, which work together to keep your blood sugar levels and mood stable.
• Oats provide fibre that can stabilise your blood sugar levels and boost your mood. They’re also high in iron, which may improve mood symptoms in those with iron deficiency anaemia.
• Berries are rich in disease-fighting anthocyanins, which may lower your risk of depression.
• Certain nuts and seeds are high in tryptophan, zinc, and selenium, which may support brain function and lower your risk of depression.
• Coffee provides numerous compounds, including caffeine and chlorogenic acid, that may boost your mood. Research suggests that decaf coffee may even have an effect.
• Beans and lentils are rich sources of mood-boosting nutrients, particularly B vitamins.

When feeling blue, you may crave calorie-rich, high sugar foods like ice cream or cookies to try to lift your spirits.

While this might give you a sugar rush, it’s unlikely to help you in the long term — and may have negative consequences as well.

Instead, you should aim for wholesome foods that have been shown to not only boost your mood but also your overall health. Try out some of the foods above to kick-start your positivity routine. This blog has been written by the Gaston team. Add your choice of ingredients to your favourite homemade dish and enjoy yourself. Gaston empowers you with a variety of ingredients to make your cooking experience delightful and interesting. You can create your personal dietary profile in our online food delivery application and hand-pick your selection of ingredients, flavours, diet, allergy-free eatables, toppings and above all, your mood. With Gaston, make your special food delivery ordering experience fulfilling and worthwhile! Go Gaston! Learn more at gogaston.io