It’s all too common this time of year.
You attend a holiday party or neighborhood gathering, and before long, you’re not only feeling physically uncomfortable, but your mood has also taken a dive.
The connection between food and mood is real.
The foods you consume can have a direct impact on how you feel.
But don’t worry.
With the right knowledge of what to avoid and what to incorporate into your diet, you can keep your spirits high all year long, especially through the holiday season.
Today, I want to reveal four foods that can seriously damage your mood.
There’s a reason your stomach is sometimes called your second brain.
The gut is responsible for producing about 90% of serotonin, the hormone that helps regulate mood and creates feelings of happiness and contentment.
Certain foods, however, can interfere with the production of serotonin and other important chemicals that affect your mood.
Let’s take a closer look at the foods that are most likely to put you in a bad mood.
First on the list are diet drinks.
These beverages are loaded with artificial chemicals, particularly artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
Aspartame contains an amino acid called phenylalanine, which has been shown to limit serotonin production in the brain.
Next up are sugary snacks.
While sugar may give you an initial energy boost, it’s followed by a rapid crash that can leave you feeling irritable and low.
Many sugary snacks are also packed with artificial colors and chemicals, which can agitate you further and impair your concentration.
Fast food is another culprit.
It’s filled with trans fats, which have been linked to negative emotions like pessimism, depression, and aggression.
In fact, cockroaches won’t even touch margarine, which is a key source of trans fats, so why should we?
Lastly, chips and nuts might seem like harmless snacks, but many varieties are loaded with monosodium glutamate, or MSG.
MSG is a common flavor enhancer in processed foods, and it can cause headaches, weakness, and fatigue.
These are all mood killers you should aim to avoid.
By staying away from these foods, you can help restore balance to your gut and improve your overall mood.
But what can you eat to boost your mood instead?
Focus on a diet rich in whole, fresh produce and lean meats, particularly fish.
These foods are packed with antioxidants and nutrients that help lower inflammation in the body, which in turn can support serotonin production.
Taking care of your gut by choosing the right foods can have a profound effect on how you feel emotionally and mentally.
So next time you’re choosing what to eat, keep these tips in mind and opt for foods that will help you feel your best.
If you want to learn more about how food affects your mental health, check out these studies and articles from trusted sources: Harvard Health on diet and mood and Mayo Clinic on nutrition and mental health.
