We all do better at our jobs, relationships, and daily life when we feel good and energetic, so when looking for how to increase energy you can certainly turn to good mood foods. Eating good mood foods can affect the chemicals in your brain and affect your metabolism which boosts your mood and increases your level of energy.
Besides certain types of foods that are good mood foods, eating breakfast, eating small meals throughout the day, exercising, and staying hydrated can also boost mood and energy levels. Drinking water and eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help keep you hydrated which stabilizes your metabolism and energy level. Eating a breakfast with fiber from whole grains, one of the good fats and lean protein will give you more energy throughout the whole day. Eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of the 3 basic heavier meals helps stabilize your blood sugar levels which keeps your energy and mood levels up during the day. Staying active and exercising can also increase your energy and mood for the day. Exercise releases endorphins which are feel good chemicals, relieves stress and helps you get better quality of sleep which also improves mood.
Good Mood Foods
So what foods are good mood foods and how do they work to increase mood and energy? Here are some foods that can help give you a mood boost and why they do so.
- PEA, phenylethylamine, is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is linked to energy, mood, and attention. It is a vital part of your brain function and is responsible for feelings of pleasure as well as mental acuity. The body does make its own PEA from the amino acid phenylalanine, but often it can’t make as much as it needs. AFA blue-green algae, cheddar cheese, dark chocolate high in cocoa, soybeans, lentils, peanuts, and eggs are all good mood foods with PEA.
- Carbohydrates can give you an energy boost and improve mood by raising your serotonin level. Getting carbs from whole grains which the body absorbs more slowly than simple carbs helps stabilize blood sugar levels and give you a more steady long lasting energy.
- Magnesium is needed for the body to change sugars into energy. If you do not get enough magnesium in your diet, you may have low energy. Bananas not only have magnesium, they also are a good source of potassium which also can help boost energy. Halibut, bran cereal, black beans, kidney beans, brown rice, nuts such as cashews and almonds and lentils are all good sources of magnesium.
- Selenium is another mineral that boosts mood. Brazil nuts, oysters, tuna, salmon, flounder, crimini and shiitake mushrooms, lean beef, chicken, turkey and pork are all sources of good mood foods with selenium. Too much selenium can be detrimental though so stay in the recommended amounts which according to the RDA is between 15 and 55 mcg depending on your age. Lean beef, chicken, and turkey not only give you selenium but also boost dopamine and norepinephrine to increase alertness and focus.
- Ubiquinol is an active antioxidant form of coenzyme Q10 which is important for stress relief and improved energy. An easy way to add ubiquinol to your diet is with this algae supplement that has ubiquinol combined with reishi and oyster mushrooms, polyphenols from olives, and bluegreen algae.
- Turmeric is good for increasing serotonin in the brain and has been used in Chinese medicine for a very long time to treat depression. With this supplement you not only get turmeric, but also other ingredients known to positively affect energy levels such as wheatgrass juice, cordyceps mushrooms, bee pollen, noni, and green tea.
- If you prefer a liquid energy boost, this one, designed for daily renewal of mind and body, gives you organic wild microalgae(TM), Cognizin(R), Sustamine(R), green tea, vitamin D, carnosine, blueberry extract, all in a 2 ounce shot.
How to increase energy is an easy question to answer now. You just need the right good mood foods, some lifestyle and diet changes and supporting supplements and you’ll be on your way to being able to increase your energy, stamina and improve your mood. It’s as simple as eating your way to a happier you.
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