Eat yourself happy with these five foods that will boost your health and mood
If you find your mood is affected by the weather, especially as winter arrives, look at what you're eating. Some foods are almost guaranteed to make you smile
If you've had a bad day, it can be tempting to give in to junk food for a quick fix. But what we eat has a major impact on our mood and energy levels, so it's worth practising mindful eating, especially when your emotions are running high.
Here’s a list of mood-boosting food that are good for both your physical and mental health, and are sure to put a smile on your face.
Dark chocolate
It’s true – chocolate really can make us happy. It causes the brain to release endorphins – hormones also known as the “bliss chemical” that reduce feelings of pain or stress, and can help us to relax.
However, you will benefit more from eating dark chocolate than milk or plain, so choose types that contain at least 70 per cent cocoa.
Ways to eat it: Add to smoothies, milkshakes, and cereal, drizzle over roasted cauliflower, or use for dipping strawberries.