How to Boost Your Mood and Beat the Winter Blues With Food
Go bananas. Credit: ralph and jenny
Foods that Beat the Winter Blues
4. Tryptophan. Studies show that tryptophan plays an important role in regulating mood and that decreasing tryptophan can lead to increased aggression. Tryptophan is not produced by our body naturally, so it’s critical that we get it from our diet.
- Neurotransmitter Relationship: Tryptophan contributes to production of serotonin when coupled with vitamin B and folic acid. Serotonin calms the mood.
- Easy Snacking Sources: The best sources for tryptophan are high-protein foods such as oats, bananas, dried dates and low-fat dairy like cottage cheese. Non-vegetarians should look for tryptophan in lean poultry, like cage-free turkey.
How many of these winter-blues-bustin’ foods are you munching on this year? Busting bad moods with food makes us feel good! —Jenn