Foods and Our Mood

Many individuals are unaware of the impact food can have on one's mood. Certain foods actually have the ability to boost your mood. These foods essentially have the ability to increase the concentration of Serotonin in your body. Essentially, Serotonin (a neurotransmitter) works to send messages from one side of the brain to another and it is believed that it is this neurotransmitter that has the power to tell us we're hungry, tell us we're happy or even induce motivation. Many of the foods we eat have different benefits that may have the ability to naturally increase one's mood. We must also remember that our lifestyle choices play pivotal roles in the maintenance of our health. Exercise is important in keeping Serotonin balanced; it is also an important mood elevator. Choose happier foods and colorful foods, many of them have the natural ability to increase 5-HT in your body via their high levels of Tryptophan. Some of these high Tryptophan foods include:

Broccoli
Pineapple 
Bananas 
Kiwi
Tomatoes
Spinach
Dates
Cantaloupe
Eggplant
Figs
Grapefruit
Honeydew melon 

Remember that Tryptophan is the precursor for Serotonin, by increasing Tryptophan, you are naturally increasing Serotonin (5-HT). Feeling down lately? Try and integrate some of the foods above into your every day diet!