Blue Monday is behind us but new research has found that during the winter Brits feel they are less productive and creative in the winter and are typically surrounded by sugary foods.
Dr Christy
The UK’s leading food psychologist behind Channel 4’s Secret Eaters, Dr Christy Fergusson said: “Relying on high sugar foods, biscuits and crisps to keep us going can leave us riding the blood sugar rollercoaster. We feel buzzed for a spell but soon our energy, concentration and mood can plummet. During winter, the lack of sunshine can leave most people suffering the effects of dwindling serotonin levels. Serotonin is our feel good happy brain chemical which keeps our moods high and our cravings at bay. As the dark nights roll in and our serotonin levels plummet, we can find our energy drops, our moods turn and the sugar cravings kick in. If you find yourself losing focus and the brain fog descending as the afternoon wears on, I’ve created a list of top five foods to turn around your mood.”
To address this issue, she has come up with her top five plant based foods that will help you to beat the blues this winter.
Oats
Oats are an amazing mood booster. Fibre rich, with a low glycaemic load they release energy slowly into the bloodstream. This helps keep you from riding the blood sugar rollercoaster so your mood stays steady.
Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts are an incredible source of the mineral selenium. Research has found that individuals with low selenium levels are more susceptible to depression, anxiety and fatigue.
Bananas
Bananas are packed with the amino acid tryptophan and nutrients such as potassium, iron, vitamins B6 and C. Tryptophan is the building block to our feel good neurotransmitter serotonin. The B6 also helps the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin.
Broccoli
A lack of B vitamins can impact the production of your feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Leafy green vegetables are packed with vital B vitamins such as folate, vitamins B3, B6 and B12. Eating your greens is, therefore, a tasty way to help keep depression at bay.
Berries
These nutrient-rich gems are packed with antioxidants essential for supporting the proper functioning of the brain. Berries are loaded with anthocyanidins. These are known to help boost your brain function and support the nervous system. As well as being nutrient dense, one of the best things about berries is that despite being sweet they are low in sugar. This means you can snack away without spiking your blood sugar levels. You could say they are nature’s brain food. They pack a serious nutritional punch for every calorie consumed. This makes them the ideal way to supercharge your system with nutrients, without escalating your blood sugar levels.
Tagged in Vegan