You've been through a hard day at work, your children are driving you to distraction, you've had a tiff with your spouse, you're just tired-all these kinds of situations can take the wind out of your sails and temporarily bring you down. In moments like these, your first instinct may be to reach into your refrigerator or pantry for comfort. If you do, remember sugar-and fat laden "treats" like doughnuts and cookies will only deflate you later: There are a multitude of great-tasting foods that are equally as delicious and comforting yet still provide you with the nutrients you need every day. Some of these foods may even help lift you up out of your mood.
EAT TO CHEER UP
Food can be a day-brighter simply because we enjoy it. In fact, researchers are increasingly recognizing that pleasure plays a large role in governing appetite and guiding food choices. Eating foods that you enjoy provides a sense of "treating" or "rewarding" yourself-just what you need when life is wearing you down. On a more practical level, pausing from a busy or difficult day to ahve a nutritious bite to eat can simply provide you with a much-needed break. Nutritionists have come to agree that even less healthful indulgences like potato chips or chocolate can occasionally be allowed into your diet as long as they're eaten sparingly. The key is to eat a balanced and varied diet and to pay attention to when your mood tends to flag. If you notice that your spirits fall at certain times of day, plan meals and snacks accordingly, and try to eat a variety of foods so that the body maintains a proper balance of the chemicals that can influence mood. Some good mood-boosting choices include complex and carbohydrates like whole-wheat toast or a light pasta salad, and complete proteins, found in a glass of milk or half a turkey sandwich.
Mood-Brightening Foods
- Beans, lentils, peas
- Breads:whole-grain toast, bagel, and wheat cereal
- Fish:tuna, herring, mackerel, trout, and shrimp
- Pasta such as linguini
- Peanut butter abd sunflower seeds
- Sweets, eaten sparingly
- Yogurt
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