Following my Mother’s Day theme this week, I thought today I’d focus on how Moms can get the most out of foods to improve their mood. We all have cranky, exhausting, forgetful and frustrating days/moods but never fear, there’s food that can help!

1. Stress & Hungry & Tired = Chocolate

Chocolate (especially dark chocolate can reduce the stress hormones in your body.  A recent Swiss study, found that eating just a smidge of dark chocolate (about 1.4 ounces) has the power to lower the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamines in the body, thus reducing your anxiety!

2. Lack of concentration & sluggish = Spinach

Instead of turning to our old friend caffeine, try having a spinach salad instead. According to Dr Dolgoff, “Folic acid, or folate, helps your body to process and lower homocysteine levels,” says Dr. Dolgoff. “High levels of homocysteine are associated with damage to blood vessels, in addition to interfering with the flow of blood and nutrients to the brain. Impaired blood flow may leave you feeling sluggish or slow to process or recall information.” Folate-rich food such as spinach and other leafy green vegetables as well as potatoes, fortified breads and cereals, beans, peas and mushrooms can help wish that weariness away!

3. Cranky & snappy = Apple with Peanut Butter

When you’re cranky your body needs fuel food. Your body needs to get a combination of carbs, protein and a bit of fat. The apple is your healthy complex carbohydrate and the peanut butter is a healthy fat (also almond butter is a good alternative!)

4. Worried & Anxious = Salmon

Salmon is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. “Regular consumption of omega-3s has extensive research support for both the prevention and treatment of clinical depression. And there’s growing evidence that omega-3s also help reduce anger and irritability,” says Stephen Ilardi, PhD, author of The Depression Cure. While there are plant-based sources of omega-3s, Dr. Ilardi says it’s best to stick with fish: “The specific form of omega-3 that most strongly boosts mood is found most abundantly in coldwater fish such as salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel,” he says.

5. Frustrated & Angry = Green Tea

According to Jacob Teitelbaum, nutrition expert and author of Beat Sugar Addiction NOW!  Green tea is the answer to our daily anger. Why? “Green tea contains theanine, which calms you and helps you maintain clear concentration and focus,” he says. Green tea’s modest amount of caffeine won’t send you into an angry rage, either; it’s gentler on your body than coffee.

6. Miserable and teary = Whole grain cereal

When you’re feeling down it’s often because your body is low on vitamin D. If this is the case, you may be affecting your body’s ability to stabilize your mood and reduce feelings of depression. To boost your intake of vitamin D, turn to lowfat fortified milk, fortified cereals or mushrooms. In addition it’s good to take vitamin D and calcium supplements on a daily basis.

7. PMS = Egg salad

When it’s that time of the month, we often want fatty comfort food which doesn’t necessarily help us in the right way. Instead, opt for whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread, and for extra PMS-zapping strength, pair them with tryptophan-rich protein such as eggs, sunflower seeds or turkey, which may enhance the release of serotonin. An egg-salad sandwich on whole-grain bread offers the perfect carbohydrate-tryptophan combination. Also try this: Instead of mayonnaise, mix the hard-cooked eggs with a teaspoon of fat-free or lowfat plain Greek yogurt and half a teaspoon of whole-grain Dijon mustard. Mhmm!!!

info c/o Women’s Day images c/o foodepix, healthymealexperts, cntraveler, cookinglight