Nuts
All nuts are great for our mood. In particular Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts and walnuts, which are one of my special favourites. They are high in anxiety-fighting magnesium. Also they have been found to be one of the richest foods on earth in selenium, which can be effective in helping with depression.
Chocolate-Dark-Chocolate
Try to opt for a small portion of the highest cocoa and low- to no-sugar options when it comes to chocolate. The unique antioxidants found in chocolate may help in a big way with reducing cortisol and other stress hormones; it also has a ‘feel-good-factor.’ It is the cocoa in chocolate that achieves this, NOT the sugar.Mmmm – Dark Chocolate
The darker the chocolate the better!
Seeds: Pumpkin, Sunflower, Sesame & Chia
All sky-high in tryptophan, another amino acid that is key to reducing anxiety and depression. These seeds are also very high in the magnesium associated with improved moods. Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds are also very high in potassium and linked to good moods, while chia seeds are high in Omega-3s which have been shown to fight depression.
Legumes
All legumes can be good for mood, perhaps none more so than lentils. These nutritional superstars contain more folate than any other common plant-based food. Folate is a B vitamin involved in healthy nerve function, deficiency in folate may be associated with depression. Lentils are also very high in potassium and in iron, an important nutrient to fight fatigue.
Rosaleen McHugh, Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate, Completed Seventh Day of September 2019, T. Colin Campbell Centre for Nutrition Studies and eCornell