How can food affect your mood?

Did you know that your food choices can affect the way you feel? Energy slumps, feeling low and difficulty sleeping can all be the result of poor food choices.

Improving your diet may help to:

1. Improve your mood
2. Give you more energy
3. Help you think more clearly.

Below are our top tips to boost your mood through food!

Choose the right carbohydrates

Our brain runs primarily on glucose which we get from eating carbohydrate rich foods. Severely restricting carbohydrates can make you feel grumpy and tired as the brain is no longer getting an adequate glucose supply.

Better carbohydrate choices for sustained energy release:

Avoid these refined carbohydrates as they raise sugar levels too quickly:

• Soft drink
• Juice
• Snack foods like biscuits and chips
• Lollies and chocolate
• White bread

Timing is important

When you eat can have an effect on your mood:

• Going long periods of time without eating can cause a drop in blood sugar levels, leading to feeling tired and irritable.
• Overeating to the point of feeling uncomfortable can make you feel tired and lethargic.
• Eating moderate sized meals on a consistent schedule will help maintain steady blood sugar levels and result in an even mood.

Eat more plant foods

Plant foods include vegetables, legumes, fruits, grains and nuts and seeds. Many of these are high in fibre. The good bacteria in our large intestine helps manage our mood and stress levels. Eating foods high in fibre and drinking lots of water supports the good bacteria to help us feel happier.

Eat protein rich foods

Protein is essential to a good mood. Foods like fish, red meat, poultry, eggs and legumes contain amino acids. Tryptophan is an important amino acid that helps increase the amount of serotonin that is made in the brain. Serotonin is known as the ‘happy hormone’ as it promotes feelings of calm and relaxation, whilst defending against depression. So, add eggs to your breakfast, some lean chicken to a sandwich or salad at lunch and include some protein with dinner.

Omega 3s

• Researchers have noted that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may help protect against depression.
• Omega 3’s are found in fatty fish, seafood, flaxseeds and walnuts.
• Try to aim for at least three 120 gram servings of oily fish like salmon or mackerel each week.
• If you struggle to reach this, discuss with your doctor whether fish oil supplements would be beneficial.

Watch the caffeine and alcohol

• Caffeine is a stimulant drug. Too much can keep you awake at night and cause difficulty concentrating.
• Alcohol is a depressant which means it slows down brain activity. Initially you may feel relaxed, but it can worsen symptoms of depression.
• Drinking alcohol close to bedtime can decrease the quality of your sleep causing you to wake feeling groggy rather than refreshed.

Probiotics

It turns out that the bacteria living in our digestive system plays a crucial role in reducing anxiety, depression and our perception of stress. There are hundreds of species of bacteria in our gut, and it’s important to have more of the good kind of bacteria. Eating foods high in fibre, drinking plenty of water and getting more probiotics into your diet can keep your gut healthy and your mood stable. Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha and fermented veggies are all high in probiotics, but can contain high levels of sodium or salt, so should be enjoyed occasionally.

Hydration

Over 70 percent of our brain is made up of water, so it makes sense that being dehydrated is going to compromise how we are feeling. Aim to drink 2 litres of fluid a day – mainly from water – to avoid headaches, poor concentration and low mood.

Produced by Nutrition Australia QLD Division, 2018. Reviewed August 2021.