Certain foods can have an impact on how we feel and knowing which specific foods these are can help us understand our emotions; as HEALTH finds out.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal, explains Vijay Ramburuth, Nutritionist and Business Development Consultant (MENA) at Catapult Sports / Executive Director and Owner at VR8 Sports, is a mood booster as this contains high amounts of soluble fiber which has been proven to lower blood sugar levels. It provides the energy needed to get through the day without feeling tired or lethargic.

Bananas

Besides being known as a quick snack to alleviate hunger pangs, bananas are actually an ideal food to add to your diet if you want to elevate your mood, points out Ramburuth. “Many mood problems can be linked to stress and a diet that is missing essential ingredients,” he says and a deficiency in magnesium and potassium can have a negative effect on your mood so eating a banana
can prevent a deficiency and keep you feeling positive.

Whole Grain Bread

Surprisingly, whole grain bread can boost your mood as it contains many essential amino acids, which are the building blocks and messengers for your brain. Without the correct or sufficient ratio of amino acids in your diet, the body cannot produce the neurotransmitters which are responsible for mood stability.

Milk

A simple glass of milk is a great feel-good pickme- up, says Ramburuth, simply because of the calcium and tryptophan that it will give your diet. Calcium can help reduce your levels of stress and anxiety, and tryptophan helps your body produce serotonin which will lift your mood.

Dark Chocolate

Most everyone feels better immediately after taking a bite of chocolate and according to Ramburuth, chocolate is a food that acts as a mood enhancer because of the phenylethylamine it contains which stimulates the brain to produce serotonin, which is closely linked with mood. “This is a naturally occurring chemical that acts as an antidepressant in the brain,” he says.