Food for Moods

Posted by Sandra Williams Dec 4, 2008

It's hard to break bad habits but choosing healthier foods will not only help prevent heart attacks. They will also improve your mental health.

Snacks have been the biggest challenge here. I find it easier if I have a healthy snack stash to turn to when someone brings home potato chips. Salsa is low in fat and good with just about anything, so I use that instead of cream based dips.

Other quick healthy snacks include dried fruit, nuts and trail mixes. I'm also loaded up with low fat popcorn, fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grain crackers. The crackers aren't bad with salsa either.

If you're trying to wean yourself off caffeine, try replacing a cup of coffee or tea with fruit juice or herbal tea. It's amazing how much better you'll feel from this one small change.

For more on how food affects mood see Healthy Foods for Mental Health.