7 Ways to Improve Your Mood with Food

  1. Eat Thoughtfully. Sometimes the foods that make you feel better while you’re eating them make you feel worse when you’re full. That’s because these foods are often high in sugar and added fat and your body can’t recognize that it’s had enough until you’ve had too much. Check out the Thoughtful Eating principles for tips that will help you feel good before, during and after you eat.
  2. Get Moving. Make the most of the few minutes you have between classes. A brisk walk for only 10 minutes is enough to boost your cardiovascular fitness and your endorphins. The end result: A better mood and time to spare when you arrive at your destination.
  3. Fill Up with Fiber: Foods like oatmeal, beans, peas, strawberries and apples are good sources of soluble fiber and may make you feel better by smoothing out your blood sugar levels and stimulating an even flow of serotonin.
  4. Keep Calm: Protein foods stimulate the neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, These neurotransmitters stimulate awareness and concentration which balance the calm, relaxed feelings of serotonin. The Sargent Choice principles are all about balance. See Sargent Choice Food.
  5. Find Balance: Today’s food environment makes it easy to eat non-nutritious foods. But to really feel good, you need the protective nutrients of each food group to nourish your body, satisfy your appetite, and most importantly, position you to continue to make balanced choices. Use our 1+2+3 solutions to balance out your meals and snacks.
  6. Exhale: Take a deep breath before you eat. The simple act of deep breathing releases tension and promotes relaxation. You will be ready to slow down and fully focus on the pleasure of eating. Since eating is something that you need to do several times a day, every day of your life, this small habit change can make a big difference!
  7. Diet Less: Are you dieting? Most diets are designed to help every person, no matter what his or her nutrition needs are, achieve significant, immediate, weight loss. For young, active people, this often results in a calorie (energy) goal that is unreasonably low and unsustainable. The energy deficit may make you irritable, anxious and depressed. If you are interested in healthy weight loss solutions, visit our weight loss essentials page.