Mood Food: Can What You Eat Affect Your Happiness?

The biggest bad mood culprits are refined carbohydrates and refined white starches that cause your blood sugar to go up and down like a rollercoaster.

Blood sugar spikes and drops can leave you with a short-lived burst of energy followed by a tired, cranky feeling.

• Protein to help slow the absorption of carbohydrates in your blood and increase the release of dopamine.
• Vitamin D may help relieve mood disorders.
• The vitamins folate and B-12 may help ease depression. Broccoli, lentils, oatmeal, oranges, dark leafy greens are good sources of folate. Vitamin B-12 can be found in cottage cheese, lean beef, and salmon.
• Soluble fiber can slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream and increase serotonin. You can find healthy amounts of fiber in oats, beans, pears, peas, and brussels sprouts.