Lack of good nutrition can lead to sluggishness, irritability and negative mood. There are several nutritional strategies that may help you feel more stable and happy.
Eat Enough Food
If you are not getting enough calories throughout the day, you may feel sluggish, angry and irritable. Make sure that you eat three nutritious meals a day and a light snack or two in between.
Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods can make you feel good for a brief time but then you feel tired and emotionally drained. These processed foods can also make you feel more impulsive and less patient and the repeated use of processed foods starves the parts of the brain that control the impulses. Try to eat real foods like fruits and vegetables as well as grains and meats.
Eat Happy Foods
Foods rich in tryptophan may improve your mood over time. Tryptophan is an important amino acid linked to the production of serotonin. Low serotonin levels have been linked with depression and many depression medications enhance levels of serotonin in the system. You can read more about some tryptophan-rich foods here.
Additional Resources
For more information on how to eat a healthy diet that supports positive mood, review Chapter 3: Eating in a Modern World and Chapter 4: The Best Food for You in Well to Do: A Guide to Take Charge, Set Goals and Improve Your Health.
For more information on the link between nutrition and food, read this article.
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