Need A Mood Boost? Eat This!

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No question that what you eat can affect how you feel, right? Both positively and negatively. (And the same goes for your kids. )

Mental health and brain health are incredibly complex. As are the foods we eat, and the ways our bodies interact with those foods. While, we don’t know the exact mechanisms of how food and nutrition help, we know a few ways that food impacts our moods.

First, we know that what we eat becomes the raw materials for our neurotransmitters. “Neurotransmitters” are biochemical messengers that allow our nerve cells to communicate. They are important not just for thinking and memory, but also for mental health. Second, we know what we eat affects our blood sugar. And having unstable blood sugar levels can contribute to mood swings…bad ones. Where do you think the term #hangry comes from?

So, let’s talk about mood-boosting and mood-busting foods….which ones to include and which ones to avoid. Especially as we move into the winter months, with less hours of sunlight we need to take external steps to support and improve our mood.

Top Mood Boosting Foods and Supplements

  1. Did you know that some nutrient deficiencies can look like mental health problems? Yup. The food we eat (or don’t eat) can affect us so profoundly that it mimics a mental health imbalance…this includes deficiencies in B-vitamins, vitamin D, and the mineral selenium. Clearly, getting enough vitamins, minerals, (and other things like antioxidants) are key. These nutrients not only reduce inflammation but also fuel the biochemical reactions in our bodies. So make sure you’re eating a variety of nutrient-dense whole foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, studies show that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables are the happiest. #yesplease
  2. Pay special attention to vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin), as it’s not naturally occurring in too many foods.
  3. Selenium is an essential mineral found in Brazil nuts, walnuts, cod, and poultry. Try to add some of those to your weekly diet.
  4. Fourth. Make sure you get enough protein. Protein is your body’s main supply of amino acids. Amino acids are very important for mood issues because they are the building blocks of neurotransmitters. I recommend eating protein with every meal and don’t forget that protein also helps to regulate blood sugar,
  5. Fifth. Complex carbohydrates like sweet potato and quinoa are great too. They allow better absorption of key amino acids like tryptophan (and remember that Turkey time is just around the corner). Tryptophan is used by your body to make serotonin (your “happy hormone”) and melatonin (your “sleepy” hormone). So, if you want to relax, try these in the evening.
  6. Sixth. Fish and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, seeds, and algae) are also mood-boosting. Omega-3s are definitely “brain food” and may help to ease some symptoms.

FUN FACT: One study showed that giving one multi-vitamin and one omega-3  fish oil tablet per day to prison inmates reduced the incidence of violent behavior by 50%!

Not that I’m comparing my kids to prison inmates buuuuuuut, ALL my kids get fish oil in the morning to help set them up for the day AND in the evening before bed to help calm them and prepare them for sleep.

Last but not least, make sure you’re hydrated. Mild dehydration can cause mood issues as well!

Top Mood-busting foods

This shouldn’t be a surprise to you – processed foods are mood-busters! One study suggests that eating a lot of processed foods devoid of nutrients can increase your chances of becoming depressed by as much as 60 percent! This is on top of the research that shows nutrient deficiencies can look like mental health imbalances. How much feedback do you need to jump off this bandwagon? Processed foods are problematic for so many reasons.

I know you’re probably thinking….“But it makes me feel good!” Yes, some of these mood busters can make you feel better…but only temporarily. Most big food companies hire scientists to study how to maximize the “pleasure” centers with the perfect amount of sugar, salt, and fat. Not to mention the color, texture, and taste; they can light up our taste buds and make us feel good… for now. They call it the “bliss point” and their goal is light up this centre of your brain on a regular basis.

But do you know what also makes you feel good? Weight training,  running, walking..or just moving! Lots of things can help boost your mood and make you feel good….AND have the added benefit of improving your health.

A few other things to avoid are:

  • Alcohol (nervous system depressant)
  • Caffeine (may worsen anxious feelings and ability to sleep)
  • Sugar (messes with your blood sugar and can worsen inflammation).

Bad moods can lead to bad eating habits; and, bad eating habits can lead to bad moods. If you need a mood boost, stick to minimally processed nutrient-dense whole foods. Things like fresh fruit and vegetables (including leafy greens), nuts and seeds, eggs, fish, poultry, and meat. Avoid common mood-busting foods like alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

And remember, sometimes “feel good” junk foods, only make you feel good temporarily.

Recipe (mood boosting): Fruit Salad

fruit salad

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 cups watermelon, cubed
  • 1-2 cups cantaloupe, cubed
  • 1-2 cups blueberries, fresh
  • 1-2 cups blackberries, fresh
  • 1-2 cups green grapes
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
  • 2 tbsp walnuts (optional)

Directions:

  1. Place all fruit in a large bowl and gently toss.
  2. Serve & enjoy!

 

Apple Pie For Breakfast

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With the cold weather officially here (meh), it’s also time for those meals that warm the body and feed the soul!

Like you, I follow a breakfast plan for every day of the week, and right on (weather changing) cue, my kids have been telling me that they’re bored with their current oatmeal. So last week, I switched it up and BAM, it.was.a.hit!

Incredibly easy and super delicious, let me introduce you to Breakfast Apple Pie Oatmeal!

Recipe: Breakfast Apple Pie Oatmeal

*I’m feeding 4 kids so you’ll need to adjust accordingly

Ingredients:
  • 1 medium to large size apple (we like honey crisp)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups dry oats
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 4 cups of water
  • **wee bit of maple syrup…WEE

 

Directions:

  1. Add water and egg to the pot and stir.
  2. Add cinnamon.
  3. Peel and grate the apple. Add to the pot.
  4. Add oats. Stir.
  5. Add butter.
  6. Cook on low-medium heat and stir regularly to avoid sticking to the sides (cause it’s got the egg).
  7. You’re welcome.

The Gut Brain Connection: How To Feed Your Brain

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If there was ever a call for “digestive health,” THIS. IS. IT. So, take note!

Your gut is considered your “second brain.” There is no denying it anymore.

And because of the new scientific discoveries about the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system, and the amazing influence your gut microbes can have, it’s no wonder what you eat, feeds not only your body but can directly affect your brain.

So, what exactly is the “gut-brain connection?” It’s very complex, and to be honest, we’re still learning lots about it!

Let’s dive into some basics…we’ll call them Gut Brain 101.

To start, there are multiple things working together.  Things like:

  • The vagus nerve that links the gut directly to the brain;
  • The “enteric nervous system” (A.K.A. “second brain)  helps the complex intricacies of digestion flow with little to no involvement from the actual brain;
  • The massive amount of neurotransmitters produced by the gut;
  • The huge part of the immune system that is in the gut, but can travel throughout the body; and,
  • The interactions and messages sent by the gut microbes.

This is complex. And amazing, if you ask me.

I’ll briefly touch on these areas, and end off with a delicious recipe (of course!)

  1. Vagus nerve

This is a nerve that runs directly from the gut to the brain. And after reading this far, you’ll probably get a sense of which direction 90% of the transmission goes…Not from your brain to your gut (which is what we used to think), but from your gut up to your brain!

2. The enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters

Would you believe me if I told you that the gut has more nerves than your spinal cord? Crazy right? And that’s why it’s referred to as the “second brain.”

And, if you think about it, controlling the complex process of digestion (i.e. digestive enzymes, absorption of nutrients, the flow of food, etc.) should probably be done by a “smarty pants” don’t you think?

And do you know how these nerves speak to each other, and to other cells? By chemical messengers called “neurotransmitters.” In fact, many of the neurotransmitters that have a strong effect on our mood are made in the gut! Let me say that again. MANY OF THE NEUROTRANSMITTERS THAT HAVE A STRONG EFFECT ON OUR MOOD ARE MADE IN THE GUT! A whopping 95% of serotonin is made in your gut, not in your brain! (Serotonin maintains mood balance and I call it your ‘happiness hormone’.)

3. The immune system of the gut

Because eating and drinking is a huge portal where disease-causing critters can get into your body, it makes total sense that much of our defense system would be located there too, right? Approximately 75% of our immune system is in our gut!

But did you know that the immune cells can move throughout the entire body and cause inflammation just about anywhere? If they’re “activated” by something in the gut, they can potentially wreak havoc anywhere in the body…including the potential to cause inflammation in the brain.

4. Gut microbes

Your friendly neighbourhood gut residents…just like spiderman (lol)! You have billions of those little guys happily living in your gut and they do amazing things like help you digest certain foods, make certain vitamins, and even help regulate inflammation!

But more and more evidence is showing that changes in your gut microbiota can impact your mood, and even other, more serious, mental health issues.

So how do these all work together for brain health?

The honest answer to how these things all work together is that we don’t fully understand all the complexities just yet. But one thing is becoming clear. A healthy gut IS KEY to a healthy brain!

So my question to you – are you feeding yourself in a way that supports your mental health?

Of course, a variety of minimally-processed, nutrient-dense foods is required, because no nutrients work alone. Two things that you may consider eating more of are fibre and omega-3 fats. Fibre (in fruits, veggies, nuts & seeds) help to feed your awesome gut microbes. And omega-3 fats (in fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, algae, and seeds like flax, chia, and hemp) are well-known inflammation-lowering brain boosters.

Recipe (Gut food fibre, Brain food omega-3): Blueberry Hemp Overnight Oats

Gut-Brain-Connection-Overnight-Oats
(photo credit: )

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup oats (gluten-free)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

  1. Blend blueberries in the food processor until smooth.
  2. Mix blueberries, oats, almond milk, chia seeds, hemp seeds in a bowl with a lid. Let set in fridge overnight.
  3. Split into two bowls and top with cinnamon, banana, and walnuts.

Serve & enjoy!

Tip: Your gut microbes love to eat the fibre in the blueberries, oats, seeds, and nuts. Meanwhile, your brain loves the omega-3 fats in the seeds and nuts. A match made in health heaven.