Joyful Eating!
Author: Hannah Hall, Challenge America Program Coordinator
Living in the midst of a diet culture, it can sometimes be difficult to think about food with joy and not feel remorse immediately afterwards. Many people struggle with their relationship with food and find it difficult to find happiness in the foods they are eating. Today, we want to encourage you to think about some foods that bring you joy and tell us about them.
Here are some examples of food that scientifically elicit joy:
Chocolate- Chocolate boosts endorphin production and contains serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that increases happiness.
Bananas - contain dopamine which promotes positive feelings
Berries - linked to cognitive function and mood improvement
Nuts - contain essential fatty acids and magnesium that help boost moods and decrease inflammation. The healthy fats in nuts also contain serotonin to improve mood.
Coffee - a stimulant that can help you feel productive and motivated
Leafy Greens - High in Magnesium, B Vitamins, and iron and contain grounding properties that promote a healthy mood.Oats - Contain a mood boosting mineral, selenium, and have a low glycemic index which means they slowly release energy into the bloodstream keeping blood sugar and mood stable.
