{"id":1209,"date":"2022-03-04T21:22:33","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T21:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/activewellnesscenter.com\/?p=1209"},"modified":"2022-03-04T21:24:37","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T21:24:37","slug":"mood-boosting-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/activewellnesscenter.com\/blog\/mood-boosting-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"Mood Boosting Foods"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood goes hand-in-hand with energy \u2013 if you\u2019re in a good mood, you\u2019re likely high-energy as well.\u00a0 When you\u2019re low-energy, your mood often dips.\u00a0 That being said, food plays a major role on our mood because at its core, food is fuel.\u00a0 So, if you do the math\u2026good food = a good mood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you google \u201cmood boosting foods\u201d you\u2019ll be inundated with countless lists of tryptophan-containing foods, such as turkey, beef, eggs, soybeans, dairy and fish.\u00a0 Tryptophan is an essential amino acid needed in the synthesis of serotonin &#8211; aka the \u201cfeel-good\u201d hormone (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK545168\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0 While this is true, and tryptophan <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an important nutrient, I feel compelled to give credit where credit is due: to carbohydrates.\u00a0 I\u2019ll spare you the science, but just know that eating carbs ultimately allows tryptophan to make serotonin (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2908021\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0 So, while tryptophan technically does create more \u201cfeel-good\u201d hormone, there\u2019s so much more to boosting your mood than simply eating more turkey and eggs.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large; color: #d9272d;\"><strong>Here are some additional nutrients that can play a role in boosting your mood:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fiber-Rich Carbohydrates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Talking about mood boosters without including carbs would be insane.\u00a0 Carbs are your body\u2019s preferred source of energy, as it\u2019s the easiest macronutrient for your body to break down.\u00a0 For more slow-burning and long-lasting energy, aim for complex carbs high in fiber.\u00a0 Think: fresh fruits, whole grains, legumes, starchy veggies, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Healthy Fats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Similar to fiber-rich carbs, fats are another source of slow-burning energy that will keep your mood stable.\u00a0 Unsaturated fats are also linked to numerous neurological benefits, allowing for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.\u00a0 You can find them in: fatty fish, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, sesame oil, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Antioxidants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Antioxidants reduce free radicals in your body, thus, reducing stress on your cells.\u00a0 Decreased oxidative stress in your body <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83e\udc6a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> efficiency in cell function <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83e\udc6a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> improved energy.\u00a0 Think: pigmented foods like berries, turmeric, dark chocolate, pomegranate, sweet potato, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Adaptogens<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Adaptogens are herbs known for their health-supporting properties, such as reduced stress\/anxiety and improved brain function and focus.\u00a0 Some popular adaptogens include: Ashwaganda, Tulsi, Lion\u2019s Mane, Reishi and Maca.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Magnesium-Rich Foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Magnesium is a common deficiency among the general population, and is heavily involved in our body\u2019s stress response (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7761127\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0 Regulating magnesium levels will have significant positive effects, one of which is improved mood!\u00a0 You can find magnesium in foods like: cacao, leafy greens, dairy, pumpkin seeds, cashews, avocados, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This one goes without saying, but I feel obligated to include it.\u00a0 If you\u2019re hydrated, you\u2019re 10x more likely to be in a better mood &#8211; I promise.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can really find \u201cmood boosting\u201d properties in so many foods.\u00a0 In isolation, though, most foods aren\u2019t going to get the job done.\u00a0 The key is to consume consistent meals with adequate variety, paired appropriately (protein, carbs, fats).\u00a0 If you\u2019ve ever been hangry, you know what I\u2019m talking about.\u00a0 So, before you load up on tryptophan or Ashwaganda, make sure your core macronutrients are covered!\u00a0 And if you\u2019re still not interested in the \u201cbalanced diet\u201d approach, chocolate works just fine in the short-term \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/activewellnesscenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Isabel-Debhanm_SYN-Bio.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Isabel-Debhanm_SYN-Bio&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span>Written by: <\/span><br \/><span><strong>Isabel Debnam<\/strong>, a Registered Dietitian supporting the nutritional needs at Active Wellness Centers Petaluma and Napa. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Contact\u00a0<\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"autolinked\" data-behavior=\"truncate\" href=\"mailto:Isabel.Debnam@activewellnesscenter.com\">Isabel.Debnam@activewellnesscenter.com<\/a><span>\u00a0for additional support and to schedule your free first-time discovery consultation available to current members.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mood goes hand-in-hand with energy \u2013 if you\u2019re in a good mood, you\u2019re likely high-energy as well.\u00a0 When you\u2019re low-energy, your mood often dips.\u00a0 That being said, food plays a major role on our mood because at its core, food is fuel.\u00a0 So, if you do the math\u2026good food = a good mood. When you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1212,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-living"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mood Boosting Foods - Best Gym, Fitness Center &amp; Aquatics | Active Wellness Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/activewellnesscenter.com\/blog\/mood-boosting-foods\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mood Boosting Foods - Best Gym, Fitness Center &amp; Aquatics | Active Wellness Center\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Mood goes hand-in-hand with energy \u2013 if you\u2019re in a good mood, you\u2019re likely high-energy as well.\u00a0 When you\u2019re low-energy, your mood often dips.\u00a0 That being said, food plays a major role on our mood because at its core, food is fuel.\u00a0 So, if you do the math\u2026good food = a good mood. 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