Foods That Boost Happiness

You may think that ice-cream and potato chips are you comfort food but trust me on this, real comfort food comes from a healthier place! In fact, people who eat healthier options like, fruit, vegetables and fish have a significantly lower incidence of depression than those who eat sweets or processed foods, according to new study out of Spain. The researchers followed 15,000 young adults who had never suffered from depression for the next 8 ½ years. At the end of the study, they'd found that those who ate more sweets and processed foods were up to 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with or treated for depression than those who ate primarily whole foods. The reason, researchers speculate, is that the nutrients in whole foods protect our brains from the onset of depression. Here are a few great food that help with depression and why:

Mussels and oysters:

These are loaded with some of the highest naturally occurring levels of vitamin B12 on the planet—a nutrient that most of us are lacking. It helps insulate your brain cells, keeping your brain sharp as you age. They also contain the trace nutrients zinc, iodine, and selenium, which keep your mood-regulating thyroid on track. Another benefit? Mussels and oysters are high in protein and low in fat and calories, making them one of the healthiest, most nutrient-dense seafood options you’ll find.

Dark Chocolate:

No, not milk chocolate...that is actually bad for you. Dark chocolate, however, is a whole other story! Turns out chocolate’s delicious taste isn’t the only reason it makes you feel so warm and fuzzy. This delightful cocoa treat also gives you an instant boost in mood and concentration, and improves blood flow to your brain, helping you feel more vibrant and energized. But sorry, Kit-Kat bars don’t count. Cocoa is the chocolate ingredient that does your body good, so pure dark chocolate is your best bet if you want the mood-boosting benefits minus the extra belly flab.

Grass-fed Beef:

Animals raised on grass pastures boast much higher levels of healthy conjugated linoleic acid (or CLA), a “happy” fat that combats stress hormones and blasts belly fat. Grass-fed beef also has a lower overall fat count and contains higher levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids compared to grain-fed beef. Another great grass-fed options include: lamb or chicken. These are packed with iron, a nutrient vital for a stable mood (Fun fact: the areas of the brain related to mood and memory contain the highest iron concentrations). Good sources of iron also help prevent migraines!

Honey:

Honey, unlike table sugar, is packed with beneficial compounds like quercetin and kaempferol that reduce inflammation, keeping your brain healthy and warding off depression. Honey also has a less dramatic impact on your blood-sugar levels than regular sugar, so it won’t send your body into fat-storage mode the way that cane sugar can. Honey is also a great medicine for sore throats and can even be used as a face mask. Say "bye-bye" to blemishes!

Green Leafy Veggies:

Kale and spinach are rich in vitamins A, C, E and K, and broccoli, bok choy and mustard are also rich in many of the B-vitamins. Their high content of antioxidants may be one of the best cancer-preventing foods packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber but low in calories. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens can offer numerous health benefits including reduced risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and mental decline. Eat a nice salad for lunch a few times a week and you will be on your way to a better you in no time!

Red Bell Peppers:

Why red? Aren’t all peppers the same? In fact, red bell peppers—which have been allowed to ripen on the vine and not picked when still green, have considerably higher nutrient scores than the underdeveloped ones. They are proven to be more than double the vitamin C and up to 8 times as much vitamin A! In a recent survey of Nutrient Density, researchers at William Paterson University ranked red peppers as second only to leafy greens as the most potent of vegetables. The higher concentration of vitamins helps to not only improve your mood directly, but to also boost your immune system, help with weight loss and even lessen those dreadful cold symptoms!

Tomatoes:

Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that protects your brain and fights depression-causing inflammation. It also has been linked to many other health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer! And because lycopene lives in tomato skins, you’ll get more of the stuff if you throw a handful of cherry tomatoes into your next salad instead of slicing up one full-size tomato. Or enjoy them on their own with a little olive oil, which has been shown to increase lycopene absorption. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K.

Do you have a favorite healthy food you want to share? Feel free to send some useful info my way!