Are you having a hard time keeping your mood up during the dark winter months? You are not alone. Many people suffer from the famous ‘winter blues’. Luckily, there are many different raw foods that will help you to increase your mood, fight fatigue and reduce feelings of depression. Need a pick-me-up in the afternoon or a comforting snack in the evening? These healthy mood-boosting foods will help you to beat the winter blues.
Bananas & other tropical fruits
Bananas and other tropical fruits are not only packed with essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fruit sugars to keep your energy high – they also contain a high amount of the essential amino acid ‘tryptophan’. This amino acid is used to produce the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to fight depression, ensures deep sleep and decreases the stress levels in our body. Not a big fan of bananas? Other tropical fruits such as mango, melons, pineapple and kiwi will help you to produce high concentrations of serotonin as well.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Remember how your parents probably used to tell you to eat your greens when you were young? Turns out they were right all along! Green leafy vegetables are a great source of B-vitamins, especially vitamin B9 (folic acid). Folic acid has an important impact on our mood and stress levels, making it the perfect nutrient to beat the winter blues. A deficiency of folic acid can lead to depression, low energy and concentration difficulties. Time to get your greens on! You can enjoy them in a big salad, transform them into an energy boosting green juice or add them to your favorite green smoothie. Want more inspirational recipes & information about the health benefits of leafy greens? Then go and join Julie’s Lifestyle’s mailing list to get your personal copy of my free raw recipe eBook ‘Julie’s Top 7 Fast, Easy & Delicious Raw Smoothies & Shakes’.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6 and –again – folic acid. Like leafy greens, they contribute to the production of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin and therefore help you to ward off depression and improve your mood. And ladies… Do you ever feel like your mood is just all over the place when ‘that’ time of the month is coming up? Cruciferous vegetables will help to combat PMS symptoms thanks to their high amount of vitamin B6. B6 stimulates the creation of dopamine, the neurochemical responsible for sleeping and waking cycles. High dopamine levels will improve your mood, boost your energy and improve your sleep quality naturally. More mood-boosting health foods will be revealed soon… Can you guess which ones will be on top of the list?
