7 Superfoods to Cheer You Up and Cheer You On!

By:Musu Murray
Close-up of a colorful muesli bowl with fresh berries, nuts, and pineapple. Contains superfoods

Had a day that rattled you mentally and emotionally? Well, don’t go hunting in your freezer for your stashed candies! Some superfoods can help elevate your mood and could be hiding in your fridge right now. Here are some healthier superfoods that can help you with your current and future mental and emotional health drops:

1. Fatty is the New Fish

Of course, fatty fish is on this list. Those types of fish – salmon, sardines, and tuna – are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA. Omega-3s are designed to reduce inflammation, thus boosting brain function in the process. The taste and smell may be off-putting; however, the benefits are worth it.

2. Dark Chocolate Ain’t So Bad

The answer to all life’s problems should be chocolate, but we don’t live in that dimension. Instead, we can treat ourselves to low-sugar dark chocolate (70% or more). An unlikely superfood packed with mood-boosting chemicals such as flavonoids, minerals, polyphenols, and vitamins.

3. Fermented Foods, It’s Brinin’ Time!

Foods that are fermented are “Probiotic Rangers” and can help fight for the health of your gut. Those probiotics superfoods power the beneficial bacteria in your gut biome, de-stressing your tummy, and leading to more serotonin production from the brain. Such examples are kombucha, yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut to name a few.

4. It’s Bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Listen to Gwen Stefani! Another sweet treat that is the icon for potassium, bananas are loaded with vitamin B6, a compound needed to produce those feel-good hormones. It has prebiotic fiber that supports your gut, the metabolism supercenter. Have it as a snack, slap it on a PB sandwich, or make it a part of a meal.

5. Nuts and Seeds, if You Please!

You got walnuts, pumpkin seeds, cashews, sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame seeds, and pine nuts! Take your pick because these natural superfoods are one of the best brain caretakers. They can give you some omega-3s fatty acids, zinc, amino acids, selenium, and tryptophan to support the powerhouse in your head.

6. Blue! Berry! Power!

You may ask, “How can these little button berries be a superfood?” Blueberries may be tiny, but in the name of Blue, they will help you! These mini warriors possess flavonoids, compounds that enhance blood that can help the brain. With this boost in speed, your spirits can be lifted in a couple of hours!

7. Leafy Greens, Unite!

Last, but most certainly not least, greens are some of the top-scoring superfoods on the AFS (anti-depressant food score). They have a league of nutrients and minerals that can push back depression, such as iron, omega-3s, potassium, and folate. Serve up some of those greens with some fish and nuts as a brain food feast.

Author

  • Musu Murray

    Musu Murray is a graduate of Winthrop University with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Chemistry & B.A. in Illustration Visual Communication. She can understand the technical jargon but prefers writing easy-to-digest reports that get straight to the point. She is a massive horror fan and loves the arts. When she's not writing, you can find her either at her easel desk painting, or bundled up in the dark watching cult classics. From gaming to gardening, she will get her hands on whatever topic she finds.

Musu Murray is a graduate of Winthrop University with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Chemistry & B.A. in Illustration Visual Communication. She can understand the technical jargon but prefers writing easy-to-digest reports that get straight to the point. She is a massive horror fan and loves the arts. When she's not writing, you can find her either at her easel desk painting, or bundled up in the dark watching cult classics. From gaming to gardening, she will get her hands on whatever topic she finds.

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