There are few things in life that can boost your mood the way food does.
Think about it for a minute, when we’re happy we eat, when we’re sad we eat, when we’re celebrating an achievement, there’s food (and sometimes dop) and even when we’re mourning a loss there’s food.
Doesn’t matter what season of your life you are in, chances are there’s a dite to go with it.
After all, that is why it’s called comfort food.
A lekker plate of food just makes you forget about everything around you, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
But comfort food doesn’t have to be a massive plate the size of your Sunday lunch.
It can be anything from an avo on toast sandwich to a chicken meal or even just a banana.
Most foods are also great for boosting your mood and we all know that eating the right food isn’t just good for the body, but it can be great for the mind too.
According to “the experts”, our food choices can affect how we feel more than we may realise.
And I’m not just talking about that magies vol, ogies toe kind of feeling. Although, that’s not a bad feeling at all.
There are many foods that can actually help boost your mood and help you feel happier.
Eatthis.com listed 50 foods that are scientifically proven to make you feel lekker with every bite.
I’ve chosen a few easy items from the list that we can put to the test.
- Chicken
This is probably the only meat I always have in my house. Who doesn’t love chicken and there are so many ways to make it.
According to Eat This Not That, chicken is a great choice if you want to eat your way to a good mood.
Chicken contains energising nutrients like B6, potassium and zinc, which are great mood boosters.
Also, studies found that high-protein diets, like those with lots of chicken on the menu, improve self-esteem and reduce depression in female study subjects.
- Avocado
I love me some avo maar genade, ‘n mens kan nog nooit meer as R20 ‘n avo betaal nie. So, I only have it when it’s in season, wanneer hulle jou toegooi meet die goed.
Avocados have become all the rave with everyone and their ouma enjoying the fruit. Still, nothing beats the humble avo on toast.
Avos contain mono-unsaturated fat and they do more than just please our palates.
Research published in Physiology & Behaviour reveals that diets loaded with healthy fats decreased symptoms of anxiety in rats.
So, if it’s good for a rat, it must be good for me too!
- Tuna
‘ Tis still the season for a lekker tuna salad.
According to Eat This Not That, tuna makes us happy because it’s nutritionally good for you and it’s good for your wallet.
And they’re right! It’s not hard to find a lekker tuna special in this town.
The other reason it’s a winner is because it contains omega-3, which is good for you.
However, it is recommended that men eat no more than 400g of tuna and that women consume no more than 350g to keep mercury levels to a minimum.
- Banana
If your stress levels are going through the roof, then a good ol’ banana is what you need to make you feel lekker again.
The potassium in bananas helps reduce symptoms of depression and stress, according to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
- Spinach
Thanks to Popeye, spinach has quite literally become a superfood.
Spinach is great to add to your diet if you have an iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency can result in feelings of exhaustion, weakness and irritability, but adding spinach to your next dish does wonders for your mood.
- Eggs
The omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and B vitamins in eggs help boost your mood.
Studies also found that eating two eggs for breakfast can help with weight loss.
Recipes:
Spicy Curried Mayo Marinade for Chicken Wings