In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, maintaining a positive mood is essential for overall well-being. Mental health has been the talk of the town for a long, and for good reasons. Only looking good is not enough, one also has to feel good within for being productive, stay focused, alert, sustain healthy relationships, and overall live a stress free and healthy life in the long haul.

The Internet is full of tips and tricks on how to feel good inside out. But, did you know that the food you consume can have a significant impact on your mood as well? Good Food, Good Mood is a popular idiom that is absolutely true. Certain foods are known to stimulate the release of feel-good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, in the brain.

In this blog, we’ll explore top 6 delicious and nutritious foods, along with their recipes, that can help boost those mood-enhancing hormones and leave you feeling happier.

Before diving in, let’s understand what the fuss about these hormones is!

What Are “Feel Good Hormones”?

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Feel good hormones are the chemical messengers that have a direct impact on our mind, mood, and body. They hold full control over how your body functions and how you feel when released by glands into your bloodstream.

The four groups of hormones named- Dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin are responsible to act on various organs in our body and inducing happier feelings according to Harvard Health Publishing. On the opposite side, low levels of these hormones end up in negative feelings of stress, anxiety, lower energy levels, and much more when pertaining for a longer period.

Now that you have a basic idea of these good hormones, let’s get into the blog and discover the foods to boost hormones.

1. Pineapple

Sweet, sour, and tangy Pineapple contains the protein Serotonin which is why many mental health experts across the world suggest people battling with depression or anxiety add Pineapple to their diet as it boosts the production of the feel good hormone thus reducing the negative feelings.

Some delicious way to consume Pineapple is via fresh and 100% chemical-free Pineapple Juice. You can add fresh mint leaves and squeeze some lemon juice to amp up the flavour of this tropical and healthy juice. Other than juice, Pineapple Raita can also be a part of your daily diet routine to elevate the experience of the whole Indian meal.

2. Oats

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How many of you start your day with a bowl of overnight soaked oats? Well, if you are doing so, let us tell you that you are exactly doing the right way to start the day. Know why?

Oats being a source of complex carbs highly promote the release of serotonin thus making you feel good and also look good as it supports weight loss goals. It provides the body with a steady energy thus keeping you satisfied and in good spirit all day long. There are so many tasty combinations you can make with oats like Oats with fruits, nuts or seasonal veggies as per your taste preference. The customisation is endless.

3. Nuts And Seeds

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Nuts and seeds come under high fibre food which not only keeps you full for a long and avoids gastronomical problems but also helps to boost mood. According to Dr. Taz Bhatia, dietary fibre is important for hormonal balance and gives us a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure.

Chia Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, and Almonds make a superior choice to consume as a part of a regular balanced diet. Moreover, they can be easily added to smoothies, oatmeal, Greek yoghurt and other dishes to amp up the taste and health quotient. So, now you know how to increase happy hormones in your body. Isn’t it?

4. Spinach

Whether you love greens or not, they just can’t be ignored. Dark leafy greens especially Spinach being rich in magnesium upholds the tendency to boost the release of hormones leaving the “Happy” feeling. That’s why it makes it to our list of top foods to boost hormones.

So, if you are not a fan of leafy greens, this is your friendly reminder to incorporate these nutritious veggies as a part of your diet. Try blending them with other deep dark green leafy veggies to create flavourful juice or smoothies. Just make sure to juice at home or buy from a reliable natural cold-pressed juice brand like OMJOOS in Delhi/NCR.
A bowl of spinach salad tossed with other seasonal vegetables also makes a mood-boosting lunch which is full of flavour and nutrition of course.

5. Sweet Potatoes

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As the chilly season has knocked on the doors, including Sweet Potatoes or Shakarkandi in your diet for getting an abundance of health advantages like strengthening gut health, soft & clear skin, keep us warm, and taste incredibly good.

Out of everything, this deep-orange fleshed nutritional powerhouse is a good source of Vitamin C and magnesium both of which are essential for making serotonin and dopamine and preventing negative feelings as per a popular nutritionist Lisa Richards. Shakrkandi Ki Chaat is a very famous street snack and can be easily made at home.

6. Turmeric

Not a food but a spice, Turmeric has been the star ingredient for ages. The coronavirus pandemic accelerates the importance of consuming turmeric in order to boost gut health and stay protected from infections or viruses. You will be glad to know that the benefits of Turmeric is not only limited to boosting gut health but to treating the feeling of stress, anxiety, and boosting our mood naturally as per a study highlighted by The Turmeric.Co

Turmeric is linked to increasing serotonin and dopamine levels within the brain thus a mood enhancer. That’s why we had to include it in our list of foods to boost hormones. So, if you have stopped drinking a glass of Turmeric Milk, restart it once again to improve brain functioning. It is also good in the winter to stay warm.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes we don’t understand that small changes in the lifestyle can have a big impact on improving our well-being. And, the list of foods shared above which makes us feel good and content is one such classic example. Because a happy mind starts with a nourished body.

It is also imperative to know yourself to better understand what triggers you and what makes you feel satisfied or positive not just in terms of food but in general as well.  Indulge in regular exercise, meditation, yoga, take a good night sleep, maintain healthy relationships, and abundance of self-love.

Try following this routine and see how good it feels inside out. Don’t forget to thank us later!

Disclaimer: These superfoods are linked with supporting mood naturally. Consult your nearby doctors or healthcare professionals if you don’t see any end to the worse feeling of anxiety, depression, or low mood levels in the long haul.