Do you eat when you are feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed?  If so, you are probably reaching for your favorite comfort foods.  Sweets are often used a stress reliever or a comfort food.  However, instead of helping us to relax and calm us down, sweets often make the problems worse in the end.  Why?  Sweets give your body an initial sugar rush and when your body's insulin response kicks in, it causes your blood sugar to drop.  This can leave you feeling worse than you originally were.

There is hope!  Here are some foods that can help us feel calmer, less anxious, and happier. 

OMEGA-3 FOODS 

Incidence of depression is high among people with a diet low in omega-3 fatty acids.  Good sources for omega-3’s are salmon and flax seed as well as canola oil.

VITAMIN B FOODS       

The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being.  Some food sources for these B vitamins are fish for B12, legumes including lentils and kidney beans for Folate, and avocados for B6.

NUTS

Nuts are a fast way to fix depleted vitamin B.  An ounce of nuts will not only replace Vitamin B, but it also will give you a healthy amount of zinc.  Vitamin E is found in almonds and will help to fight cellular damage that comes from chronic stress.

FOLIC ACID

Every stalk of asparagus is a source of folic acid, which is a natural soother.

 VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is important is lowering the level of cortisol that is produced by stress.  Subclinical deficiencies of Vitamin C can produce depression.  Sources of C include fruits and berries.

 

CALCIUM     

Depletion of calcium affects the central nervous system.  Low levels of calcium cause nervousness, apprehension, and irritability.  Calcium sources include dairy products.

 

This is just a partial list of foods that affect your mood.  Be sure to eat a well balanced diet not only for your body’s health but for a healthy mood too.