Improve Your Mood With Food

by Laura S Johnson

When it comes down to mood, we feel like we can't always control how we feel. Sometimes we would like to feel happy when we are down, but we simply don't know how to attain that change of mood naturally. We tend to approach mood changes with medications rather than with herbal remedies from certain foods. However, the absolute best way to lift our mood is naturally. There are certain foods we can consume which raise the mood lifting chemical known as serotonin. So what are some of these foods and how do they work?

The first step towards improving our mood is the "consumption of protein with every meal." Protein, such as lean poultry and fish, raise our blood levels of tryptophan. This particular chemical eventually turns into serotonin which in turn improves our mood. On top of its mood enhancing abilities, consuming protein with every meal is an excellent way to lose weight.

"Eating a small carbohydrate snack" is the second step towards improving ones mood. Eat a small snack, such as an oatmeal cookie or a slice of whole wheat bread, 3 to 4 hours after your meal and approximately one hour before your next meal. Make sure that your stomach is empty. Eating this small yet significant snack will cause the tryptophan in your blood to enter the brain. Once the chemical has entered the brain it will metabolize into serotonin leaving you with a feeling of happiness in about 20 to 30 minutes. Following this particular pattern of nutrition can also serve as a natural sleep aid. This is due to the fact that your brain metabolizes serotonin into the natural sleep aid known as melatonin. So follow these simple steps and watch your mood improve before your eyes.

Lauren S. Johnson writes health articles about fitness and nutrition. Some of her favorite passions include studying the medicinal benefits of herbal remedies, weight loss products, and hoodia side effects.