Eat your way to a happier mood!

November 9, 11:57 AMNY Women's Health ExaminerAmy Capetta

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We all scream for ice cream! (Just make it soy...)
Flickr: Rakka

No wonder our instinct is to run to the kitchen when we’re feeling stressed, sad or just plain bored. Scientists have discovered that certain foods actually have the ability to lift our moods and make us feel joyful again in no time!

Sprinkle wheat germ on meals for a lift!
Garnish cereal, veggies or baked macaroni and cheese with wheat germ and you’ll soon be wearing a happy face! That’s because this crunch topping is high in selenium, a trace mineral that mixes with proteins in your body to make selenoproteins, key antioxidant enzymes. And new research suggests that low levels of selenoproteins may cause depression. In a small study conducted by Texas Tech University, experts discovered that a daily dose of 200 micrograms of selenium improved mild and moderate depression levels in 16 elderly volunteers over the course of seven weeks. “Wheat germ is also an excellent source of mood enhancing B vitamins,” adds Jordin Rubin, nutritional consultant, founder of the Biblical Health Institute, author of The Maker’s Diet.

Crunch walnuts to chase away the blues!
Not all fats are bad for you! Research group Beer Sheva Mental Health Center in Israel conducted three studies, which all concluded that omega-3 fatty acids were shown to have a strong effect on those suffering from depression. In a separate study, researchers at the Massachusetts based McLean Hospital found that animals’ moods improved 40% when given an injection of these essential unsaturated fatty acids. And yet additional research reported by the University of Maryland Medical Center says that omega-3’s combat depression because they help nerve cells to communicate with each other, which is essential for good mental health—and walnuts are a top source of omega 3’s.

Scoop soy ice cream to nix mood swings!
Soy products have high levels of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that the body uses to create mood-regulating serotonin. In a study conducted at Oxford University, researchers found that women recovering from depression who were deficient in tryptophan had a higher chance of regressing compared to women who had high enough levels in their diet. Separate research conducted by a team of Swiss and German psychiatrics concluded that tryptophan can treat a range of depression symptoms known as “serotonin deficiency syndrome.” Plus, soybeans rank low on the glycemic index, meaning they don’t spike energy levels too quickly and cause a mood crash later.