Food for Moods: Change Your Mood with Food

Foods that we eat, when combined properly, can actually have an effect on our mood. I try to keep foods that both boost and calm me in the house at all times so I can easily grab a snack and change my whole outlook on the rest of my day.

If I'm feeling tired or sluggish, I often make a citrus smoothie. The scent of citrus fruits alone instantly boosts my energy level. By blending together a cup of orange juice, a cup of ice and some fresh, canned or frozen pineapples, mangos and oranges, I find myself feeling both full, and energized. Adding milk or yogurt is an easy way to add in protein and calcium to your energizing snack or breakfast. This smoothie with a handful of nuts offers an instant energy boost that doesn't slow you down or make you crash hours later.

If I'm feeling down, something has me sad or I'm suffering from premenstrual syndrome, the perfect snack to banish the blahs is also quite healthy! Instead of reaching for salty pretzels or calorie-rich chocolate brownies, I make myself a snack of sliced apples, drizzled with honey and I enjoy it with a glass of ice-cold milk. The combination of the three instantly spikes my mood from mad to glad.

Before a high-energy workout, I like to have a snack that's healthy and light, as well as refreshing. A few slices of cold watermelon and a glass of V-8 Juice, or V-8 Splash is the perfect combination of taste and necessary fluid that carry me through my workout without the feeling of crashing afterwards.

If I find myself having a little bit of difficulty falling asleep at night, I make myself a snack of cookies and milk. Oatmeal-raisin cookies are a great sleep inducers, and the oatmeal is so fiber rich that it doesn't slow down your digestive tract, making sleep difficult. A glass of milk along side fill up your tummy, as well as provides you with calcium, but if you find that you have vivid dreams after this snack, cut out the milk the next time and opt for a caffeine-free Sleepy time tea instead. Warming the cookies up in the microwave for 30 seconds or less makes this treat perfect for setting the scene for those much needed zzz's.

As you can see, it's easy to control both your appetite and your mood by selecting the right combination of foods. Try one of my suggestions and see for yourself!