Top 5 Mood-Boosting Foods for Happiness Happens Month
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You are what you eat! Including specific food groups into your diet could be a key factor in unlocking a more positive mental attitude.
With Happiness Happens Month [1st-31st August] underway, insights for the top five mood-boosting fruits and vegetables that may enhance optimism and happiness have been revealed.
Research from the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center explored the effects of an eight-week diet modification on individuals aged 18 to 65, with one group increasing vegetable intake and another maintaining their regular diet without additional vegetables.
The study revealed that those who increased their vegetable intake had higher happiness perception scores (SHS) compared to those who didn’t, which suggests adhering to vegetable intake recommendations could contribute to enhancing psychological well-being.
HelloFresh’s Senior Recipe Development Manager, Mimi Morley comments,
“In numerous studies, eating fruits and vegetables regularly has been linked to improved mental wellbeing. A healthy, balanced diet incorporates your five-a-day and ensures that both your mind and body can benefit from the range of nutritional benefits that they provide.”
Top 5 Mood-Boosting Fruit and Veg Subgroups
- Berries
It is hypothesised that berries are a key subgroup of fruits that may help improve your mood. You can start the day with this injection of positivity by including them in your first meal of the day. This can be done in the simplest of ways like a Berry Yoghurt Bowl, an effortless breakfast recipe that has berries at the forefront.
- Citrus Fruits
Another key subgroup that studies suggest may have a positive effect on happiness levels is citrus fruits. Jam-packed with Vitamin C, citrus fruits provide a zesty flavour that could uplift your mood. Recipes like Zesty Citrus Chicken and Ginger Stir Fry and Cod in a Lemon and Chive Butter help get the best of the acidic flavours, complementing them with spices and herbs to create a delicious meal that includes valuable nutrients.
- Tomatoes
A versatile fruit, the tomato can be easily included in your daily balanced diet in a number of ways. Whether it’s via a sauce like the King Prawn and Tomato Sauce Fresh Tagliatelle or in the form of cherry tomatoes, such as a Cheesy Tomato, Chorizo and Mozzarella Orzo Risotto, these delicious tomato dishes are bound to increase the size of the smile on your face.
- Salad
Salads are the ideal way to get more fruit and vegetables into your diet, ensuring you can achieve a healthy, balanced diet that may help improve your optimism and increase happiness levels.
Specifically, green salad has been linked to changes in mental health. A good way for these to be incorporated into meals is with recipes like Goat’s Cheese and Fig Salad – the perfect accompaniment to a variety of meals. Or, make the salad the main course with this Waldorf Style Salad with Chicken and Bacon.
- Leafy Vegetables
Leafy, green vegetables are bursting with vitamins, minerals and fibre that contributes to a healthy, balanced diet which is linked to improving mental wellbeing.
Incorporate leafy greens like spinach, try this Spinach and Ricotta Lasagne, or a Paneer and Spinach Chicken Curry for an extra bit of spice.
