When you’re stuck in a bad mood, there aren’t many things that seem to help. Well, there is one thing that many people go to that actually works- food. However, while food at its core is good for you, and is capable of promoting a healthy mood, often junk food is the type consumed to our peril.You see, while junk food enriched with sugar, Trans fats and sodium will satisfy our cravings for some time, it does not directly address the problem affecting our mood. The solution? Consume foods that are beneficial to our mood and brain chemistry and a whole. These will not be junk solutions, but real foods that are good for you. Let’s go:

Eggs

Over the past few decades, eggs have taken an unfair negative rap. This is likely due to the fat content, which is slowly being demystified, and is actually good for you.

Besides its generous fat content, however, is the presence of the amino acid L-tryptophan, which is essential in the synthesis of serotonin, and choline, important for brain chemistry. Serotonin is the neurochemical/hormone, which boosts mood and makes you more inclined to take the day by the horns. Just don’t skip the egg yolks, as this is where must of this goodness resides!

Salmon And Deep Water Fish

Deep water fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel are jam packed with lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, well known for their necessity in body processes. These processes include hormone synthesis and general cellular and metabolic health. But, unknown to most people, salmon is also rich in the amino acid tryptophan, mentioned for its importance in the production of serotonin. Most proteins from animal sources contain some amount of tryptophan, as they are considered complete sources, but salmon is particularly noteworthy.

Turkey

If there’s one meat that stands above all the rest in terms of its density of the amino acid tryptophan, turkey would win by a long shot. Ever wonder why following that large thanksgiving meal all you want to do is sleep? It’s because of the increased synthesis of serotonin flowing through your body. Serotonin, unlike dopamine, is not a “motivating” hormone, but rather one that seeks for you to take things easy and relax when stress seems to be getting the better of you.

Serotonin also modulates the effects of another neurotransmitter known as GABA, the strongest relaxatory hormone in the body.

Curried Foods

Curried foods are delicious! Need more reason to eat them? Oh, ok… if you really needed another reason to eat more curry, here goes- curry has been shown to increase brain serotonin levels in a dose related manner. Does this mean that more curry equates to a better mood? In theory, yes. More particularly, however, is the turmeric content that we are interested in. or more correctly, the compound contained in the turmeric; curcumin. Though curry alone is unlikely to fix a condition such a depression, supplementing with a curcumin supplement may help you reduce your dosage of prescription meds from your doc, worth a try and discussion with your health care providers.

Green Tea

Though not really a “food” its benefits warrant it much more thought than drinks frequently get. Green tea is rich in an n amino acid known as l-theanine, which not only enhances serotonin levels, but also dopamine. This is a unique of green tea over many other serotonin boosting foods, as being able to simultaneously boost serotonin and dopamine will not only leave you in a great mood, but help you get things done. Definitely try to make green tea one of your primary beverages.