The dark days of winter can lead to a dip in serotonin levels making even the most cheerful of us feel down in the dumps. Eating the right mix of nutrients can help boost your mood.
Food psychologist Dr Christy Fergusson (pictured) says, 'What most people don’t realise is that by giving their bodies the right vitamins, minerals and amino acids they can literally eat themselves happy.'
Dr Christy’s top five mood-enhancing ingredients are:
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Sunflower seeds
- Pork
- Brown basmati rice
Visit www.putporkonyourfork for more information.
Dr Christy explains, 'We often stick to the same foods, such as chicken dishes, several nights a week. Don't neglect other sources of protein like pork. It’s so versatile and it's actually a great source of essential vitamins and amino acids.
'It is the amino acids from protein that provide our bodies with the building blocks to make our feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine. High levels of these neurotransmitters are essential for making us feel happy and optimistic.
'Including good quality protein is therefore vital for our mood. Ingredients like chillies, walnuts and spinach also have great mood elevating properties and there is such a thing as ‘good’ fat, which exists in avocados.
'The composition of the dishes we eat is also really important in boosting our mood. Ideally, having a portion of wholegrain carbohydrate such as brown rice or wholewheat pasta, plus a portion of protein like pork and two portions of vegetables or salad provides us with a great nutritious balance and slow releasing energy to keep us optimistic and active throughout the day.'
Three delicious pork recipes that each come in under 600 calories to follow...
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