10 Foods That Help Better Your Mood and Overall Mental Health

Having a healthy mind is just as important as having a healthy body. Letting go of either one is going to impact the other negatively. Good mental health can be cultivated by making changes to your lifestyle and diet. Does that mean you can literally eat your way to a better mood?

Well… sort of.

While overeating “because you feel like it” is a big no-no, there are certain foods that have been proven to have mood-boosting properties. And not to worry, these aren’t crazy, exotic, or expensive foods either. These are very much the regular day-to-day variety of foods that we already eat. And you can turn them into easy, delicious meals as well.

The key is to have a balanced meal that is diverse in its benefits, from vitamins and minerals to protein and fiber – you’ll want to eat gut-healthy and brain-boosting foods throughout the day. Look for foods high in Omega 3, healthy fats, iron, magnesium, vitamins B, C, and D, and selenium for a positive effect on your mental health. These will also help keep your energy levels up and maintain a top-notch immune system.

It’s also important to cut back on sugar, caffeine, and unhealthy snacking at the same time. You don’t want to undo all the good you’re doing by eating fresh and healthy dishes at mealtime by gorging on fried, fatty, or processed foods while snacking.

We’ve outlined a simple meal plan of dishes that fit in the morning, afternoon, or night made using mental health-boosting ingredients. Check them out!