When you think about food that makes you happy what is the first one that comes to your mind?
For me, it used to be a big juicy hamburger with fries. I would enjoy the greasy and salty meal for a couple of minutes but as soon as I swallowed the last bite, I started to feel sluggish and heavy.
Later, I found out that greasy or fried food like french fries, donuts or buffalo wings spend more time in our stomach which can cause stomach pain, nausea, and bloating.
In addition, food that is difficult to digest gets us in a grumpy, sad, and negative mood just because we are not feeling well.
On the other hand, there is food that provides our body with the building blocks needed to feel happy.
Happiness Building Blocks
The way our body and brain work depends on what we eat. Moreover, our brain uses neurotransmitters to communicate with our body.
Therefore, our mood will change according to the food we ingest.
Food that impact our mood the most are the ones that have chemicals that are needed to produce neurotransmitters or feel good hormones.
The feel good neurotransmitters are:
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Endorphins
- Oxytocin
Let’s see what specific foods will get you in a good mood.
Food That Makes You Happy
There are certain nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can make a big difference in our mood and how we feel.
Therefore, if you are feeling sad, anxious, or worried, here are some foods that will put you in a better mood.
Avocados
Avocados contain:
- choline, which increases serotonin, a hormone that produces positive emotions
- omega-3, which are good for your brain and mood
- folate, that helps to manage anxiety and fear
- vitamin E that will make your skin glow
Add avocados to:
- salads
- toast
- sandwiches
- guacamole or dips
Spinach
Dark green leafy veggies and especially spinach are full of vitamin B, which is necessary for our body to produce happiness hormones like dopamine.
Spinach also contains magnesium that is needed to produce serotonin.
Add Spinach to:
- salads
- pasta
- stir fry
- soup
Berries
Berries have flavonoids and antioxidants that help to
- regulate your mood
- reduce inflammation
- improve your memory.
Add Berries to:
- yogurt
- oatmeal or granola
- smoothies
Bananas
Bananas have:
- potassium that improves brain function
- vitamin B6 that is involved in the production of serotonin that calms the body
- tryptophan, that is necessary in the production of hormones that regulate mood
Add bananas to:
- smoothies
- toast
- cereal
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes contain:
- magnesium, which calms the brain
- antioxidant beta-carotene helps with reducing free radical damage to brain cells
- vitamin B6 that is necessary to create serotonin
Add Sweet Potatoes to:
- baked dishes
- fried food
- soups
Food is not the only way to trigger these happiness hormones. In addition to food you can also try:
- Laughing
- Spending time outside in the sunlight
- Listening or making music
- Cuddling with a pet
- Sleeping
- Having sex
- Spending time with someone you love or care
- Eating and preparing food
Choosing food that contribute building blocks to these happiness hormones is a good way to include more happiness into your life.
Let me know in the comments below what is your favorite food and how do you feel after eating it.
Wondering how to include more happiness into your life?
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Due to the great nutritional values vegetables offers, I pretty much like adding them to my daily food consumption. You have posted awesome vegetable recipes and I would definitely try the sweet potato chips.
I am familiar with avocado as a good fruit when you want to lose weight. Now I know that it has nutrients that will lift your spirit up, to make you happy. I am glad I found this blog.
When I’m thinking about foods that lift your mood, automatically chocolate comes into my mind. I didn’t know that avocados or spinach have the same effect.
Avocado really does makes me happy. Probably because it’s one my favorite too.
Thank you for sharing this post. I didn’t know that these foods makes one happy, and it’s good to know that I actually eat these fruits and veggies 🙂
I love all these foods and the easy with which they are prepared. Simple and so colorfully nutritious.
Food is one of my weakness because I love food These food looks healthy and delicious I would love to try this at home btw I love Avocado 🙂
Didn’t knew that fruits like avocados and bananas can boost our happiness.
I believe this that There are certain food that boost happiness. I just so love eating and eating alone makes me happy.
Wow, I didn’t know these foods can make me happy! I have to try them out!
Avocados and berries make everything better when I have them!
I love all these foods, I eat them regularly. I didn’t know sweet potatoes also help with my happiness, I’m definitely glad that I enjoy them so much.
I have a degree in Biochmistry and I can tell you did a great job here. Thanks for sharing.