Did you know that the third Monday in January is hailed as the hardest day of the year?
Blue Monday, which fell on 16 January this year, has earned itself a bad reputation…
The good news is that there is no evidence to back up the claim!
But January can be a difficult time, and if you are feeling down, a little bit of self-care can go a long way.
At Truman Kitchens, we’re big believers that food feeds the soul. So, we’ve experimented with different ‘mood-boosting foods’ to test if they do what they say on the tin.
What are mood-boosting foods?
There’s no magical food that will give you an instant good mood. But certain food types have been associated with mood improvements.
Some of our tried and tested favourites include:
Sweet potatoes
A hearty meal can work wonders, and sweet potatoes can put a different spin on your old favourites.
Like regular potatoes, these can be added to stews, soups, and salads, or eaten on their own.
As well as the great flavour, sweet potatoes contain Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, which are known to have a mood-enhancing effect.
Blueberries
Aside from being a healthy and tasty treat, blueberries have been found to improve cognition.
In fact, just one cup of blueberries a day has improved cognition in adults.
For children, two cups have seen similar effects, with an increase in enthusiasm, attention, and a more positive mood evident two hours after eating.
We love adding blueberries to our porridge for a morning brain boost!
Dark chocolate
We’re guilty of being chocolate lovers, but the good news is that a bit of dark chocolate has health benefits as well as being delicious.
Dark chocolate may improve vascular health and brain function, according to BBC Good Food.
It may help to enhance the feeling of content as well, which we definitely agree with!
So, the next time you’re baking brownies or treating yourself to a slab of chocolate, you can rest assured that you’re doing it for your health.
Want to ensure your kitchen boosts your mood? Get in touch.