Use Food to Change Your Mood

People often underestimate the power of food. Its not just necessary fuel, or cruel temptation on a diet. Food has the power to affect the way you feel emotionally and physically. And, according to the National Institute of Health, eating the right foods can significantly change your quality of life.

Foods That Make You Feel Sexy
If you're gearing up for a romantic weekend with your significant other, or looking to give your self esteem changing your diet may be the trick. These foods give your hair and skin a healthy glow that's irresistible.

Oranges and Berries. Both are full of vitamins and antioxidants which keep your skin luminescent. By adding them as a regular part of your diet, you'll give your skin a glow that your partner won't be able to resist. Plus, they help to keep wrinkles at bay. Tomatoes are also chock full of vitamin-C, and lycopene which helps keep your skin smooth and supple (they also help to prevent sun damage).

Non-fat Yogurt . This food is full of vitamin A and calcium that is essential for healthy, shiny hair. Plus adding dairy to your diet can make it easier to lose weight and keep it off. Salmon is also great for your skin and hair. The omega-3 fatty acids that it contains helps keep them moisturized and healthy. Walnuts are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids for vegetarians (with no possibility of mercury contamination). And they are linked to prostate health in older men.

Oysters. This food is a notorious aphrodisiac. The zinc that they contain skyrockets male testosterone levels. And they're good for your hair too. Black Beans are less legendary than oysters, but they contain a lot of zinc as well as protein and iron that give you healthy skin and hair.

Dark Chocolate. This food makes you feel sexier by improving the blood flow to all of your important parts (wink, wink).

Foods That Make You Feel Young
These foods contain elements that help to stave off illnesses related to old age and keep your body functioning like it did when you were a teenager.

Eggs. These tasty treats are filled with lutein and zeaxanthin which are carotenoids that keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp.

Pineapple. This is actually the only food that naturally contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps wit digestion, reduces inflammation and swelling, helps alleviate arthritis and speeds up the healing process.

Zucchini. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people 55 and older. Zucchini is packed with lutein which helps to protect your vision and stave off the disease.

Blueberries. This scrumptious treat actually helps to reverse short-term memory loss. They've also been linked to reducing age-related mental deterioration and cancer.

Foods That Actually Help You Live Longer
Knowing that the food you eat is doing positive things for your body can do a lot to boost your mood. And the changes that you will feel physically will give you more confidence.

Avocados. The best thing about this anti-aging food is that it's so tasty. Guacamole with extra garlic is one of my favorite snacks. And, they are full of healthy fats that help improve your cholesterol.

Beans. These little guys come in tons of varieties and they're chock full of protein and antioxidants. Most Americans eat more meat than their fair share of meat which can lead to cholesterol and heart problems. Try replacing the meat in at least a few meals a week with beans for a more balanced diet.

Green Tea. Simply adding this drink to your diet is a great way to ensure that your body gets all of the chemicals that the rest of your diet may not be providing. Its antioxidants remove damaging free radicals that are a source of age-related illness.

Red Wine. A glass or two a day can keep the geriatric ward away. Red wine contains reservation which is a compound that helps you fight off age-related illnesses. Plus it helps keep your heart healthy.

Foods that Make You Feel Fat
These foods won't necessarily make you gain weight (in moderation), but they will make you feel chubby and bloated. Something you'll want to avoid before a date or a weekend at the beach. And feeling chunky doesn't do great things for your mood either.

Salt. Putting to much on your food makes you retain water. Yuck. And although most people know when to put the shaker down, they are not always aware of the amount that comes in pre-packaged and frozen foods. Be sure to check your food labels before you chow down.

Sugar. This ingredient is pretty sneaky. It spikes your blood sugar, and then makes you crash, leaving you hungrier than before you started. Which is when most people start filling up on other foods even though they're not genuinely hungry. Instead of cane sugar, try eating sweet fruits that don't toy around with your hunger levels.

Alcohol. Everyone knows what a beer belly is, but the drunk munchies do me in more often than not. Going out to a greasy dive after a night of drinking is one of my favorite things to do. To feel (and look) slimmer, avoid packing in empty calories (those with no nutritional value). But a few beers or glasses of wine a day are actually a healthy addition to any diet.

White grains. White rice and bread is made from grain that has had the bran and germ removed, which are the healthy parts. Eating too many of these foods can leave you feeling bloated and chubby because they gum up the works (if you catch my drift). Opt for whole grains over white grains whenever possible.

Darvin M., et al., Cutaneous Concentration of Lycopene, NCBI