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6 Mood-Boosting Foods for Winter

Winter sucks. It's cold, rainy and can be downright miserable (even in Australia). That's why is a great time to take stock of your diet and support your body with these mood-boosting foods.

1. Oats

Complex carbohydrates are awesome foods to improve mood quickly. Brown rice, oats and sweet potato are all good choices. They help the body release serotonin - making you feel happy inside!

Try this: Pumpkin Oatmeal

2. SALMON

When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids, no food source is better than fatty fish like wild salmon, tuna, or mackerel. Their fatty acids found have specific brain-boosting properties to fight depression.

Try this: Crispy Skinned Salmon

3. COTTAGE CHEESE

This relish white cheese is rich in vitamin D and calcium, along with metabolism-loving protein. The protein found in cottage cheese induce a sense of well-being and relaxation, as well as fighting depression. 

Try this: Raspberry Cheesecake Smoothie

4. DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate helps to release serotonin and relaxes the blood vessels of the cardiovascular system. Just remember that most store-bought is mixed with milk powders and bad fats, so try making your own raw chocolate for the best benefits.

Try this: Snickers Chocolate Bark 

5. TURKEY

A lot of lean proteins are reported as good for tackling depression, but turkey has relatively higher levels of a chemical called tryptophan. This chemical stimulates serotonin production - your happy hormone!

Try this: Salad à la Turkey Bolognese

6: WALNUTS

The magnesium found in walnuts is responsible for boosting your mood. They also contain antioxidants that improve the brain health - making you more alert.

Try this: Carrot Cake Oatmeal

 

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Sally O'Neil - Editor in Chief

Sal is on a mission to prove that healthy and nutritious doesn’t have to be boring – and that even while staying in shape you can have your cake and eat it too. After losing 14kg from adopting a healthier lifestyle, she shares her journey with others on The Fit Foodie Blog. She also works as a commercial food photographer and stylist, is studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, and is the author of two cookbooks: Love Move Eat (Bauer Media, 2017) and Meal Prep Plan (Murdoch, 2019).

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