Choose foods that elevate happiness and avoid ones that steal happiness (Information From Dr. Daniel Amen)
When you think of “happy foods,” what do you think of? Pizza? Ice cream? Chips? These so-called foods might make you feel good at the moment, but they contribute to mood problems, stress, anxiety, and depression in the long run. Most of the things people think of as “happy foods” are actually “sad foods.”
Your brain is the most energy-hungry organ in your body, using 20% or more of the body’s energy. One of the quickest ways to achieve better brain function is to identify which foods you should choose and which foods you should lose. Eat right so you can think right! Improving your brain health is the most important thing you can do for overall health and happiness.
Remember, small changes yield significant results. You can dive in headfirst or start a little slower with one change per week. Either way, the most important thing is to take the first step.
Rules for Happy Eating:
Choose foods that make you happy now and later. Eat foods that won’t cause inflammation and illness.
Make your calories count toward happiness, not depression.
Hydrate to be happier.
Power up feel-good neurochemicals with high-quality protein.
Keep your brain happy with healthy fats. Doing this is so important because people on a low-fat diet have a higher incidence of depression.
Opt for mood-boosting carbs that last, such as foods high in fiber and low in sugar and lots of greens. These are smart carbs.
Find happiness in your spice cabinet. Saffron boosts happiness. Cinnamon helps with focus, and Turmeric helps decrease inflammation.
Eat clean to keep your body happy, so avoid processed foods with extra additives—especially with additives that you can’t pronounce—and foods high in sugar.
Fight depression and other happiness-draining issues with a month-long elimination diet. Consider trying this to eliminate gluten, dairy, corn, soy, artificial dyes, and sweeteners. It’s not as challenging as it sounds, and it will change how you feel.
Develop a happier mindset about your relationship with food. If you think you can’t live without something, then you can’t live without it. It’s essential to change your relationship with food and be creative about identifying foods you love that love you back.
Don’t look at food as a reward for a stressful day.
Researchers have found that the more you eat high-fat, high-sugar, or high-salt food, the more they wear out the pleasure centers in your brain, so you need more and more to be satisfied.
According to Dr. Amen, There are 16 Brain Types (5 primary types and 11 combination types). He recommends eating foods that are best for your brain type. You can take Dr. Amen’s brain health assessment to give you some strategies for foods that might make you feel better.
The more you know about your brain, the better you can optimize it. Knowing your brain type can help you better understand who you are and why you do what you do.
