Mood Boosting Foods

Eat better, Feel better! Today we are sharing foods the help with anxiety and depression!

While anxiety and depression are very multi- faceted conditions, nutrition plays a large role in the minds ability to function properly and maintain neurotransmitter function.

Neurotransmitters are hormones in the brain that control body functions like emotions, movement, and the ability to experience pain and pleasure. They regulate mood and thought processes, focus, concentration, and help regulate sleep.

Neurotransmitters are made from amino acids, vitamins and minerals, thus a diet lacking in these can interfere with mental health. Especially when constant stress depletes vitamins and minerals even more.

Foods for Anxiety

1. Sliced Avocado on Toast: Add turkey, hard boiled eggs, flax/chia seeds - Healthy fats, magnesium, B vitamins, tryptophan

2. Almonds/Cashews/Brazil nuts: Healthy fats, magnesium, B6

3. Pumpkin Seeds, Chia seeds, flax seeds: Zinc

4. Fish (Especially salmon, halibut): Omega-3’s

5. Hummus with veggies: B vitamins

6. Leafy Greens: Magnesium, B vitamins

Foods for Depression

1. Turkey, Eggs, Chicken, Fish: Tryptophan, B12, Zinc

2. Walnuts, Pumpkin Seeds: Healthy fats

3. Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries: Antioxidants

4. Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat

5. Beef: High in Zinc and B vitamins

6. Legumes: High in folic acid

7. Leafy greens: especially spinach, collards

Mood Boosting Items on Our Prepared Meals Menu

Proteins:

Eggs: Egg Salad, Breakfast Burrito, Chicken Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Beef: Side of Grilled Steak

Salmon: Salmon Salad, Side of Grilled Salmon, Salmon Burgers

Turkey Southwest Turkey Burger, Paleo Turkey Chili

Chicken: Chicken Salad, Crispy Chicken, GF Chicken Noodle Soup, Stacey’s Famous Enchiladas, Side of Grilled Chicken

Grains/Legumes/Nuts/Etc:

Flax Seed: Peanut Butter Power Balls, Paleo Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins,

Chia Seeds: Chia Seed Pudding, Superfood Energy Bites

Pumpkin Seeds: Paleo Granola, Paleo Bars,

Macadamia Nuts: Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken

Almonds: Quinoa and Arugula Salad

Veggies/Fruits/Etc:

Kale: Superfood Caesar

Spinach: Braised Chicken

Pineapple: Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken

Butternut Squash: Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Dates: Paleo Granola, Superfood Bites

Avocados: Avocado Tomatillo Salsa

Sweet Potato: Paleo Turkey Chili