Mood Boosting Foods that’ll make you Happy

Add these ingredients into your diet for a plate full of cheer

Text: Livvie B

Mood boosting foods that’ll make you happy

During times of stress and uncertainty (and while we are feasting over the festive period) it can be easy to fall into bad habits, neglecting already established healthy routines. Versed readers like yourselves are well-conditioned that a healthy lifestyle supports a strong immune system, making you better equipped to deal with the possible health risks posed by COVID-19. 

Food, especially in foodie paradise, Singapore, is often associated with cheer and celebration. Even the slightest whiff of freshly made Christmas pudding, hawker roast meats or garlicky pasta is enough to cheer most of us up. But it’s not simply about inhaling a tub of ice cream when we’re feeling down. Our gut is often referred to as a second brain. Thanks to increased research that points to a connection between digestion and mental health.

The science bit is that our diet contributes to microorganisms in our digestive system, which secrete and react to serotonin and dopamine (or ‘happy hormones’). Approximately 90% of serotonin is made in the gut, so what we eat affects our brain function and boosts our mood and happiness. We all have different feel-good foods, but these often make us feel sluggish. However, there are a few go-to ingredients that are proven to increase serotonin without enhancing fatigue. 

Singaporean-based Nutritionist (ANutr) and home cook, Charlotte Mei shares some of her easily-adoptable favourites:

Berries

BERRIES

Aside from being brightly coloured and delicious, berries contain high doses of Vitamin C, a lack of which can lead to fatigue and low motivation. They’re also a great source of resveratrol, an antioxidant pigment that has been linked to relief from depression.

Kickstart your day with Charlotte’s Cashew Cream Breakfast Bowl. You can make the cashew cream in advance and store it for up to three days, making it a great option for when you’re rushing to get ready for work. Charlotte tops hers with granola and frozen blueberries, but you can add extra berries (blueberries, raspberries or strawberries) depending on your mood.

Grilled fish

OILY FISH

Oily fish is a great source of Tryptophan, which is an amino acid that plays an important role in the production of serotonin in the body, as well as promoting healthy sleep, which is a necessity for a positive mood.

To incorporate oily fish into your diet, try Charlotte’s Mala Mackerel, which is bursting with flavour and takes just 20 minutes to prepare. 

Flourless mocha cake

DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate containing 85% cocoa has the most serotonin, Whilst the effect of consuming sweet treats on serotonin levels tends to be short lived, we couldn’t share a piece on happiness-inducing foods without including chocolate in some capacity

For a light, fluffy option, we love Charlotte’s Flourless Mocha Cake, which uses almond flour as a substitute to traditional flour, and has an added kick from coffee grounds. 

About Charlotte Mei, ANutr (@thecharlottemei)

Credit: Charlotte Mei

A nutritionist by training, Charlotte Mei is a host, self-taught cook and media personality on a mission: To get people back into the kitchen and interested in what they eat. Through her content channel TheCharlotteMei, she aims to help people build a healthy relationship with food.  She shares delicious yet approachable recipes, showcases exciting city food tours, and regales nuggets of useful information for eating better and living more eco-consciously to invoke positive lifestyle change. 

To check out more of Charlotte’s recipes, head to thecharlottemei.com or follow her on Instagram. 

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