More and more food products are reaching our supermarket shelves that claim to enhance mood and boost mental function. So, how does food affect our mood? And even if we feel good now, are there foods that can make us feel even better?

You are what you eat.

According to a UK study – The Food and Mood Project – food can have a considerable impact on our mood. Eighty percent of the people surveyed for the study reported significant improvement in mood swings, depression and anxiety when their eating style was based on ‘supporter foods’ like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, wholegrain foods, oily fish and water.

The researchers also found that ‘stressors’ on mood were foods containing excess refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol. The foods identified as ‘stressors’ initially stimulated the body but eventually left people feeling depleted and more stressed because they provided little nutrition. This implies that if you are drinking more over the Christmas period, you may end up feeling quite low if you don’t balance your indulgences with exercise and good nutrition.

Some good advice!

CHOOSE FRUIT AND VEG

The best mood boosting foods! Choose a variety of different colours each day to ensure you meet your nutrient needs.

MAKE WATER YOUR MAIN DRINK

Drink at least two litres of water a day. Keep a water bottle at your desk or in your bag – it’s convenient and will help you keep track of how much you drink.

SNACK ON NUTS AND SEEDS

Make snack packs by adding dried fruit to nuts and seeds and keep them handy. Make sure you put them in individual bags, otherwise you might end up eating the whole large pack of nuts!

REDUCE ‘STRESSORS’

Cut back on caffeine, alcohol and refined sugary foods like lollies, poor quality chocolates and soft drinks. Enjoy soda water, slice of lemon in water, and the occasional good quality chocolate instead.

EAT BREAKFAST

It’s the best way to prepare you for the day. Oats, fruit and yoghurt are excellent choices.

KEEP ACTIVE

During the festive season, try to ensure you include some activity each day. Whether it is throwing a Frisbee with your kids, or going to the gym, it will improve your mood, and also help burn off some of those extra calories so you don’t end your holiday with a bit more Christmas cheer than you had intended!

Here is some food for thought: