Eat these foods to boost your mood

January is the time of year when our mood can take a little dip, but it can also be a positive time for fresh starts and renewed motivation to achieve your goals. To help give your mood and energy a lift and help you focus on the year ahead, try incorporating these four mood-boosting foods into your diet.

Spinach

This leafy green veg is a good source of iron and also vitamin C, which helps our body to absorb the iron. Iron is important for the transport of oxygen in our cells to all areas of our body. A lack of iron can affect oxygen transport and leave us feeling tired and sluggish – ultimately resulting in a low mood.

Whip yourself up a spinach omelette for a nutritious start to your day!

Brazil nuts

These are one of the best sources of selenium around. Our body uses selenium to help make the thyroid hormones, which are vital for regulating our metabolism – so it’s very important for our overall energy levels. Not producing the right amount of thyroid hormones can lead to fatigue and low mood.

Add a few brazil nuts to your lunchbox to get more than enough selenium for the day.

Oats

Did you know that wholegrain foods such as oats could help to boost your mood? Firstly, oats are a fantastic source of carbohydrates – our body’s preferred fuel source – which helps to keep our energy levels up.

Wholegrain carbs, in particular, release energy more slowly than simple carbohydrates, which helps to keep blood sugar levels and energy stable. More stable blood sugar and energy levels have been linked to better mood and a reduction in mood-related disorders such as anxiety.

Start your day with a warming bowl of porridge or bake up some tasty flapjacks to give yourself an energy and mood boost!

Quinoa

This popular grain is a fantastic all-rounder. Firstly, it’s a complete protein, which means it supplies all nine essential amino acids. Amino acids are important because they play vital roles in many of our body’s processes such as energy production and sleep quality, both of which can affect overall mood.

Quinoa is also a great source of riboflavin and niacin – two B vitamins that help our body to release energy from foods – which again helps with energy control and mood.

Try including quinoa in your salads or stews for a positive spin!

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