Food can boost your immune system and your mental state. It sounds simple change the foods you eat and feel better. It is not easy to change your eating habits. It takes work.

You have to change your psychological and emotional reasons for why you choose the foods you eat.

It was not until I realized foods affect the way I feel that I was encouraged to find out what foods should I be eating regularly.

You might be like me when I first started out and had no idea on where to start with changing your diet. I will discuss 7 foods you should be eating to prevent depression and achieve your ideal mood.

(Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional or a nutritionist. I am speaking from my experiences. If you decide to change your eating habits and start eating these foods, please consult a health professional first and foremost to see if this is the right choice for you to make considering your health and appetite.)

Carrots

I eat carrots almost everyday for snacks. I buy a small organic bag from the grocery store for $1.99.

I usually eat carrots with a banana and water. It’s a satisfying lunch, and I immediately get a burst of energy. I don’t feel sluggish and my thinking is clear.

Carrots are high in B-carotene, which is metabolized into Vitamin A in your body.

Carrots are also rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and minerals.

Vitamin A is necessary for your vision, including night vision, and vision can be restored by adding carrots into your diet.

Did you know there is an old myth that eating carrots will allow one to see in the dark?

Not only are carrots good for your mental clarity but also it is good for your eye sight.

Avoid overeating carrots because that can cause carotenosis, a benign condition in which the skin turns orange.

When you include carrots in your diet your eye sight and mentality will improve.

Almonds

I recently discovered the nutritional benefits to eating almonds.

I usually make my special vanilla almond milk to get the proteins that this food provides. I will be sharing my recipe in a future posts as I would like to make a video tutorial on how to make homemade vanilla almond milk.

Almonds are a fun snack to munch on throughout the day.

It is best to eat raw unsaturated almonds. The flavor almonds are high in salt and cholesterol.

Raw untoasted almonds have three major health benefits:

• Lowers your risk of developing diabetes.
• High fiber and monounsaturated fats lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease
• Balance proteins and carbohydrates provide your micronutrients requirements

Almonds are excellent for weight loss which will boast your confidence and mood.

Beet Root

Beet Root (beets) are round red root vegetables. Beet root are usually sold for $1.99 in the grocery store.

Beets are to be ate with a dinner meal.

It helps clean out your immune system and protect against bacteria.

One of my favorite foods are beets in apple cider vinegar, onions, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Beets can also be ate plain. It is good plain but adding seasoning gives it much more flavor and satisfies your taste buds.

You can cook beets within 15 minutes. I do not recommend eating beets raw. The side effects negatively affect your health such as reddening your urine and lowering your iron.

This is best served as a side dish, with a salad, or in small amounts. It is not to be ate everyday for health concerns.

Beets have five primary health benefits:

• The beet color provides a unique source of pytonutrients called betalains for your optimal health.
• A standout vegetable in providing antioxidants to support eye and nerve tissue health.
• Cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• A good food for detoxification against toxins and supports your body detox.
• Anti cancer and fiber special health benefits especially aiding in the health of your digestive tract.

To find out the healthiest way to cook beets. Please click here.

Banana

I eat a banana everyday for a midday snack.

It’s very cheap in the store at .79 cents per pound. I keep bananas in my refrigerator constantly.

Whenever you’re looking for a snack, choose a banana.

It is best to eat bananas raw, but it can be deep-fried, turned into jam, or banana pancakes.

The most nutrition will be provided when you eat it ripe and raw. The banana becomes more sweet when ripe like in the picture.

I don’t like eating bananas too sweet but my friend likes to eat bananas to the point the skin is black.

You should eat bananas according to your preferable starch or sweet taste.

Bananas have excellent health benefits.

• Provides natural energy
• The richness in potassium helps the body circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain.
• Helps maintain proper balance of water in your body
• Provides fiber for bowel health
• Most importantly bananas have a chemical called tryptophan which regulates the mood and contains a level of protein to relax your mind and feel happy.
• It has been found by researching college students that eating three bananas a day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner boosted your brainpower and will make you alert during the day.

 

Asparagus

Asparagus is a green vegetable having small needle like leaves.

It was in the doctor’s office I discovered that asparagus should be a vital food in your diet. The doctor’s office had a questionnaire on the lobby television about how asparagus provides necessary folic acid, a vitamin of B complex found in green leafy vegetables, for mental health.

I bought asparagus at the grocery store for $3.99 the same night I discovered this information.

I went home and made meat loaf hamburgers and asparagus with a salad dripped in apple cider vinegar and olive oil.

Asparagus is a perfect dish with any meal you choose. It is somewhat an acquired taste but it has tremendous help benefits.

It has primary health benefits.

• The fiber is a detox to cleanse the digestive system.
• Folic acid (folate) helps reduce inflammation, heart disease, and prevents birth defects.
• The potassium, vitamin A, and folate aid in anti aging.
• Asparagus is an aphrodisiac. In French, asparagus is asperge; asperge is slang for penis.
• Asparagus is high in folate which protects against cancer.

I don’t suggest eating asparagus raw but many have suggested this for optimal health.

You will notice there are thick and thin asparagus spears. Thick asparagus spears are best for roasting or steaming. Thin asparagus spears are good for grilling or sauté.

Asparagus is good to eat with just about any meal.

Steam your asparagus quickly and have a good healthy meal.

Greek Yogurt

For breakfast eat the Greek non fat yogurt plain 0% fat and add blueberries.

I’m instantly motivated to take on my day when I have this for breakfast. It increases my energy to accomplish my goals.

I used to eat cereals high in refined sugars for breakfast and it made me jittery and mood swings increase. I have a burst of energy but  immediately I have a sluggish feeling within 2-3 hours.

Choose the plain yogurt because it has less sugar.  Refined sugars make you sluggish.

There are 4 specific benefits:

• Proteins are higher in Greek yogurt than standard American yogurt.
• Most of the natural sugars are removed from Greek yogurt during the straining process.
• It provides the healthy bacteria, lactobacteria which improves intestinal health and prevents vaginal yeast infections.
• Provides easily absorbed calcium which is good for my energy and bones.

Greek yogurt provides the necessary nutrients and proteins to aid you in achieving your ideal mood.

Eggs

Pastured hens provide egg yolks high in Omega-3 fatty acid.

For optimal brain health Omega-3 fatty acid are essential to your body.

The egg yolk will help you fight your depression. The only concern is knowing what nutrients you are deficient in.

The most effective foods for you are the foods that you have a deficiency in.

Nevertheless, eggs are a depression fighting food.

Include eggs in your diet.

I have talked about eating eggs in a previous article. Click to check it out here.

Do you include these foods in your diet?

Seven essential foods to improve your mood …

C.A.B.B.A.G.E = Carrots, Almonds, Beets, Bananas, Asparagus, Greek non fat plain yogurt, and Eggs

(Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional or a nutritionist. I am speaking from my experiences. If you decide to change your eating habits and start eating these foods, please consult a health professional first and foremost to see if this is the right choice for you to make considering your health and appetite.)

Please like it, tweet it, google+ it. Do you consider how the foods you eat affect your mood?