Don’t worry, eat happy

Ever wish there were a happy pill to spritz up your spirits when you’re out of sorts? To make you laugh when you’re feeling down? Or to calm your nerves when you’re about to bite someone’s head off? Well, get this: There are several things in your kitchen that might just do the trick, and they taste a lot better than any pill.
A little dessert
Sugar soothes us when we’re stressed – or at least it soothes stressed-out rats – which are remarkably good models for stress in people. But before you race to the vending machine with a
license to binge, know that while a little sugar may soothe rattled nerves, too much will re-rattle them by causing havo c with your blood sugar. Here are some treats that’ll give you just enough:
- A small slice of cake with 1/2 cup of strawberries
- 2 cookies and a small glass of juice
Toast and jam
Carbs raise levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, which lifts our spirits. That’s why we crave bread and other carbohydrates when we’re down. Opt for whole-wheat bread and other whole-grain carbs, because they also help stabilize blood sugar levels, unlike refined grains (white bread, pasta, rice), which send blood sugar on a roller-coaster ride, leaving you jittery, grumpy, and hungry.
Get a happy serotonin boost from these snacks:
- Half a toasted whole-wheat English muffin or bagel with jam or honey
- A small bowl of oatmeal with some dried cranberries and a bit of brown sugar
Yogurt and eggs
Numerous studies show that getting more of the omega-3 fatty acid called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in your diet may boost your mood and your brainpower. Even people battling tough-to-treat depression may feel as much as 50 per cent better when they get lots of DHA. To keep your chin cheerfully up, aim for 200 milligrams (mg) of DHA a day.
Spinach
Spinach is full of folate, a B vitamin that’s a must for making feel-good serotonin. Like DHA, folate may help ease depression, according to researchers. So if you’re trying to stay on the sunny side of life, make chowing down Popeye-style a habit. To get plenty of this happy green, (about 2 cups of cooked spinach) try these tasty tips:
Black bean dip
Black beans, like most legumes, are a nifty source of iron. And if you’re low on iron – as many active women are – you may have trouble sleeping, or you might feel constantly tired, both of which can turn you into a major grouch. Here’s how to help keep your iron levels – and your mood – up:
Two quick tips: To help your body absorb optimal amounts of iron, combine iron-rich foods with foods that are high in vitamin C – like tomatoes, broccoli and red peppers. But don’t wash them down with coffee, tea, or milk; all three can block iron absorption.
Happy foods have another big, big payoff besides brightening your outlook on life: taking care of your emotional health and wellbeing can make you up to 16 years younger!