Mood-Boosting Food

Milk. Your brain needs an amino acid called tryptophan in order to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has happy-making and calming action. It works by conserving the brain’s serotonin. Dairy foods are a great low-fat source of tryptophan, but you can also find it from poultry and nuts, especially peanuts.


Turkey. Turkey is high in phenylalanine, an amino acid which the brain converts to dopamine. Dopamine elevates mood and motivation and prevents depression. A recent study demonstrated that phenylalanine was as effective as an antidepressant drug. As well as turkey, phenylalanine is found in majority of protein foods.


Liver. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin B6, which you need to convert the phenylalanine from the protein you eat to mood-enhancing dopamine and adrenaline. If you don’t get enough vitamin B6, you’ll probably feel down and your stress levels will increase. You can also get the amount of vitamin B6 from brown rice or other whole grains.


Coffee. Caffeine is the world’s most popular psychoactive drug. It increase metabolism and energy levels, making you feel more alert by interfering with the action of drowse-inducing adenosine in the brain. It also manipulates the same channels in the brain as amphetamines by activating the brain’s pleasure centers.


Muesli. Eating carbohydrates boosts serotonin levels, and complex carbohydrates like oat and rye flakes keep you sustained, making you stay mellow. Protein in nuts and milk further lower the glycaemic index and your blood sugar levels don’t spike preventing the “sugar slump” and associated crabbiness you would get after eating a high glycaemic index sugary snack.