EVER had a rough day at office? Disappointed by all sides, you turn towards melt-in-the mouth Nutella or crispy fries and Bam! Your worries just got evaporated in a matter of few seconds.

 It’s a well-established universal truth that when we eat well, we feel better. Owing to the therapeutic nature of food, most people also turn to their comfort food in times of stress. This is because our GI tract is linked to brain health.

But that does not mean that you should snack on bulky, fatty foods to feel good. Studies suggest that a whole-food diet consisting of higher intakes of vegetables, fruits, seafood, whole grains, lean meats, nuts, and legumes, while avoiding processed foods, is more likely to provide the nutrients that protect against the pathogenesis of mental health disorders. Healthy food choices create a positive reinforcing loop- you get to feel good knowing you are doing something good for yourself. Healthy food keeps your gut healthy and healthy gut brightens your mood.

Whereas negative mood states stimulate a preference for sugary and fatty foods  resulting in reduced intakes of brain-essential nutrients which have been inversely associated with depressive disorders. So, you can do this to help yourself:

• Snack on a multitude of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and whole-grain cereals

• Include lots of fiber nutrients, some lean protein and good (unsaturated) fats to balance out your whole- grain carbohydrates every single morning

• Regularly eating breakfast leads to improved mood, according to some researchers-along with better memory, more energy throughout the day and feelings of calmness.

• A balanced diet can help promote a balanced mood Healthy eating helps keep your blood sugar stable which can help maintain your mood throughout the day Eating a healthy diet can go a long way toward supporting a positive mood it might mean a little extra effort especially with today’s busy lifestyles but it’s worth it to eat well and wisely so you can feel your beat in body, mind and spirit