How to Boost Your Mood and Beat the Winter Blues With Food

Now that the rush of the holiday season is behind us and the shininess of the New Year is becoming a little less sparkly and a little more normal (the reality of the coldness of January usually does this for me), it can get easy to get a little sad face. And start reaching for those warm comfort foods rather than those big healthy salads.
However, a 2012 study just published in Public Health & Nutrition found that diets rich in fast foods and commercial baked goods put us at a higher risk for depression. Not to mention that SAD is a real thing. So, when we got these foodie suggestions from KIND Bars (a totally FBG-approved snackity snack-snack) on foods that beat the winter blues, we knew we had to share them. Sharing IS caring. So munch ’em up and feel better no matter how flippin’ cold it is outside!

Foods that Beat the Winter Blues

Many people fail to realize that a majority of the chemicals that regulate our moods (called neurotransmitters) actually come from the nutrients in the food we eat. Depending on the amount of nutrients present in our food, more or less of a certain neurotransmitter is produced. Here’s a look at the most mood-stabilizing nutrients that will have your neurotransmitters up and running in the happiest of shape in no time…
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Studies indicate that low blood levels of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are associated with depression, pessimism and impulsivity. Yeowsers!

• Neurotransmitter Relationship: Omega-3s impact the movement of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, that directly affect our moods. A deficit in omega-3s reduces the efficiency of these neurons, throwing our moods off balance.
• Easy Snacking Sources: Omega-3s are most rich in cold water fish like salmon, tuna and sardines. For vegetarians, the best source is nuts. Try adding flax seeds to a smoothie or oatmeal, or spicing up dishes with omega-3 rich herbs like basil, oregano, cloves (and clove oil) and fresh mint. (The KIND Almond Cashew with Flax + Omega3 is also a good pick!)