19 Mood Boosting Foods

Start the year off right with this list of 19 mood-boosting foods that can help to perk up not only your body but your mind too. The nutrients naturally found in these foods can really give you that kick-start you need to live your best life and to help you feel better for longer.

When we feel a little bit down, stressed or overworked it can be easy to turn to our favorite comfort foods to help give us a pick-me-up. I admit that when I have had a tough day I have been known to reach for all the starchy carbs I can get my hands on.

While these foods provide temporary satisfaction to our taste buds, in the long run, they usually end up making us feel more:

• lethargic,
• bloated,
• guilty,
• and probably a lot worse than we felt before.

Processed and fatty foods not only have a negative effect on our minds, but they can also have a negative effect on our bodies too! So next time you’re feeling down in the dumps, try a food or snack that has nutrients proven to improve your mood and that will be kind on your body! Once you get into the habit of reaching for a banana instead of a bag of chips it can become second nature.

And I mean - dark chocolate is one of the foods known to be mood-boosting so it can't be that hard, am I right?

There are even foods that can help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The team at Shari’s Berries put together these great visual guides on mood-boosting foods, which includes foods that you can incorporate into every meal of the day. That’s something you can feel good about! I have also included a bunch of recipes including the key ingredients to help get you started.

Mood-Boosting Foods: Fruits and Vegetables

Recipes containing these mood-boosting fruits and veggies:

• Radish Pea and Quinoa Shaved Asparagus Salad;
• Pomegranate, Kale and Coconut Smoothie;
• Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds;
• 6 Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl with Avocado and Pickled Radish;
• Fancy Mushroom and Smashed Avocado Tacos;
• Garlicky Orange Spinach Salad;
• Kid Approved Cacao and Spinach Muffins;
• The Creamiest Banana Cinnamon Roll Smoothie Recipe;
• Freezer Friendly Banana Matcha Waffles.

Mood-Boosting Foods: Protein

Recipes containing these mood-boosting proteins:

• 6 Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl with Avocado and Pickled Radish;
• 4 Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon;
• Sundried Tomato and Salmon Alfredo Pasta Bake;
• Salsa Verde Baked Salmon in Foil;
• Turkey and Sweet Potato Chilli;
• Baked Turkey Meatballs with Ricotta;
• Slow Steamed Herby Eggs

Mood-Boosting Foods: Grains and Seeds

Recipes containing mood-boosting grains and seeds:

• Radish Pea and Quinoa Shaved Asparagus Salad;
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Breakfast Quinoa;
• Goat Cheese Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole in the Instant Pot;
• Healthy Cauliflower Soup with Carrot Cumin and Lentils;
• Coconut Chia Breakfast Oat Squares;
• Maple Spiced Chia Overnight Oats;
• Baked Chia Pumpkin Pie Donut;
• Pumpkin Spice Granola;
• Quick Kale and Walnut Pesto with Sunflower Seeds.

Mood-Boosting Food: Snacks and Drinks

Recipes for mood-boosting snacks and drinks:

• Almond Butter Coconut Toast with Chocolate Drizzle;
• Instant Pot Breakfast: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Breakfast Quinoa;
• Turmeric Infused Healthy Hot Chocolate;
• ChocolateDark Chocolate, Matcha Coconut Truffles;
• Energizing Chocolate Matcha Smoothie;
• Light and Creamy Green Tea Salad Dressing;
• Green Tea Chai Spiced Latte;
• Green Tea Seasoned Candied Nuts

Wow, that was a mammoth list. I hope this gives you some inspiration to get some mood-boosting food into that body of yours.

Let me know if you have a favorite recipe containing any of these foods.

Happy Eating

Donna xx