Foods That Boost Your Mood

Dr Chandy George of Balance Wellbeing 360 reveals the foods that will get you out of a funk

Dumped… passed over for promotion… missed out on a wage rise? It’s not hard to turn to a tub of chocolate chip out of the freezer to make the world seem a better place. While, Ayurvedic practitioners wouldn’t applaud any attempts at cracking open a tub of  ice cream, they do agree that food can boost your mood. Dr Chandy George of Balance Wellbeing 360 explains that food breaks down into three categories for Ayurvedic doctors: Rajsic food makes you feel restless, Tamsic foods are heavy dishes that make you feel sleepy, while Sattvic food improves your digestion and lift your mood. “Food acts like medicine to the body, which is why it’s crucial to pay attention to what we’re putting into our system,” says Dr Chandy. So if you need to boost your mood, switch that litre of ice cream for one of these options…

Mood Booster #1
Fish
Salmon, sardines, fresh tuna, mackerel and anchovies can all lift you out of a funk. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies do not produce. These fatty acids work on protecting the heart and circulation.

Mood Booster #2
Spinach
No wonder Popeye was always happy. This iron-packed treat helps boost your mood. Spinach affects neurotransmitters in the brain that release endorphins and help uplift your mood.

Mood Booster #3
Soup
They say that chicken soup is good for the soul… and they may be right. When you’re tired or ill, your vitamins levels will have taken a dive. A bowl of gingery lentil soup, will help raise your vitamin levels and your mood.

Mood Booster #4
Chocolate
Chocolate is known to be one of the best mood boosters. It stimulates the brain, improves cognitive function and relaxes your blood vessels to help circulation. This tasty treat also works as an anti-oxidant and helps reduce stress. If you’re going to indulge in a chocolate fix, just make sure that you go for the dark chocolate variety. Just a few bites of dark chocolate can cause the brain to release endorphins and boost serotonin levels.

To make an appointment with Dr Chandy George or to find out more about Balance Wellbeing 360 visit  http://www.balance-wellness-centre.com/