You Are What You Eat!

Sometimes we could use a little pick me up and I'm not just talking about energy.  Sometimes our mood dictates our productivity and there are things we can do to help it out, including what we eat.  The following are all foods that science says we can use to boost our mood.

1. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has been tied to lower chances of suffering from depression.  The cocoa is key however.  So when buying dark chocolate go for ones with a higher cocoa content and less sugar.  Sugar can cause crashes that have the opposite effect on your mood.

2. Coffee

The secret's in the caffeine.  Caffeine has been proven to increase the release of dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitters.  Coffee also has the ability to increase alertness making you more prone to having a better mood.

3. Dark Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens like spinach and collards contain blood sugar balancing fiber to avoid mood and energy crashes.  They also contain a significant amount of iron.  Iron deficiencies have been linked to poor emotional behavior, anxiety, and the disruption of those same feel-good neurotransmitters.

4. Salmon

The omega-3s in salmon and other fatty fish are known to contribute to lowering the chances of depression and improving mood.  This happens because of its effect on the serotonin and dopamine pathways.  If you're a vegetarian try chia seeds, they also contain a significant amount of omega-3s.

5. Avocados

Millennials may be on to something with all those avocado toasts.  Avocados are the full package.  They contain omega-3s, B vitamins, fiber, and more beneficial elements.  We already discussed what omega-3s and fiber can do for you, but the B vitamin folic acid is also a key mood booster.  It's found in avocados at higher amounts than most any other fruit and helps reduce an amino acid linked to anxiety and depression.