10 Foods That Increase Happiness

10 Foods That Increase Happiness

Everyone wants to be happy and we think about it daily. What activities will make us happier, what items will make us happier, we even think about who will make us happier. However, we hardly stop to think about the food we eat and how exactly it affects our happiness. The truth is, the food you eat on a daily basis has an incredible effect on your happiness. Not only can food impact the way your body runs, but it can also affect your mental performance. If you're not feeling your best, chances are you won't be your happiest. To ensure that you can feel and look your best, we've rounded up 10 foods that make you feel happy and healthy.

Avocado

Not only are avocados a tasty treat, but they're also incredibly good for you! Avocados pack a brain-boosting bundle of vitamins and nutrients that can help put you (and keep you) in a good mood. The wholesome combo of B vitamins, folate, potassium and Vitamin C works to give your brain and body that boost it needs to fight fatigue and up your energy levels.

Recommended Recipe: Avocado Cashew Dip

This avocado cashew dip makes an excellent substitute for your usual dip, sauce or spread. Use it as a topping on your favorite crackers, as a base for delicious tacos or even bring it as a party dip to your next event. It's easy to make and tastes delicious!

Chocolate

10 Foods That Increase Happiness | Bob's Red Mill Blog Chocolate is a treat loved by everyone. When it comes to this sweet ingredient, age doesn't matter, as children and adults love this sweet treat equally! What most people don't realize is that chocolate has some pretty great health benefits. Add it to your smoothies or melt it to create a delicious dip for fruit. Chocolate has a way of creating a bliss-like feeling in anyone who consumes it. Maybe that's why so many of us fall in love with it

Recommended Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

This dessert-like smoothie is a powerhouse of superfoods just waiting to be consumed. Made with two scoops of our chocolate protein powder, it's packed with protein, probiotics and nutrients that a healthy and happy body craves.

Green Tea

Though green tea is technically considered a drink, this list wouldn't be complete without this mood-boosting treat. Green tea is often recognized for a variety of health benefits, but did you know that this super drink may help lift your mood? Get creative with how you choose to add green tea to your diet. Aside from drinking it regularly, green tea can also be used as a smoothie ingredient or even in baked goods.

Recommended Recipe: Sesame Matcha Shortbread Cookies

Light, crispy and 100% gluten free, these delicious cookies use matcha green tea to add a surge of flavor and nutrition to the recipe. Once fully cooked, try dipping these cookies in dark chocolate for even more mood-boosting benefits.

Dark Leafy Greens

10 Foods That Increase Happiness | Bob's Red Mill Blog While leafy greens like spinach, kale and chard may not seem like the most appealing food to add to your plate, they're incredibly good for you. All of these veggies contain high amounts of magnesium, a mineral that may have positive effects on the serotonin levels in our bodythe chemical that boosts our mood! The great thing about greens is that while they're often cooked as a side dish, their taste is also easily disguised into sweet treats like smoothies and even brownies.

Recommended Recipe: Green Goddess Hemp Smoothie

Smoothies are the perfect on-the-go meal, especially for the days when youre running short on time. They taste great and they're loaded with nutritional benefits. Plus, they can be customized to anyone's taste preferences. Packed with two cups of spinach and our hemp protein powder, this smoothie is a nutritional powerhouse that is sure to brighten up your morning and boost your mood.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a veggie that you don't want to skimp on! Eat it steamed as a delicious side or use it as a topping on your favorite pizza. Aside from its incredible nutritional makeup, it is also low in calories, making it a great addition to any healthy, mood-boosting diet.

Recommended Recipe: Coconut Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Broccoli and Miso Sauce

Not only are these bowls beautiful to look at, but they're also a great source of fiber and protein! Topped with roasted broccoli, this dish is excellent to enjoy as a late lunch or light dinner meal.

Quinoa

10 Foods That Increase Happiness | Bob's Red Mill Blog Technically a seed, Quinoa is a complex carbohydrate that's becoming more and more popular due to its high nutrition profile. Prepared and eaten similar to that of grains, It's rich in protein and fiber. Quinoa is also entirely gluten free, making it a popular substitute for rice and other grains.

Recommended Recipe: Quinoa Tortillas

Are you looking for a change? Try swapping out traditional flour tortillas for these quinoa ones. While they are a little thinner than their flour and corn counterparts, they're strong enough to hold a filling. These tortillas work with just about any diet, as theyre gluten free, lactose free, low carb, low fat, vegan, soy free and organic!

Bananas

Who doesn't love bananas? Add them to your smoothies, pair them with peanut butter, or even use them as a topping on your favorite pancakes. Bananas are an incredibly healthy fruit. Rich in fiber, potassium, Vitamin C and B6, they provide many essential vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to fuel our brain and are an integral part of any healthy diet.

Recommended Recipe: Banana Cupcakes

The light and airy texture of these banana cupcakes pair perfectly with the creamy peanut butter frosting this recipe calls for. Keep them on hand when you need a sweet treat, or make them as a dessert before your next gathering. This dessert is sure to boost just about anyone's mood!

Zucchini

10 Foods That Increase Happiness | Bob's Red Mill Blog Zucchinis, grill them, bake them or even turn them into noodles, this veggie is one of the most versatile ingredients out there! Rich in mood-boosting folate, Zucchinis are the perfect veggie to add to a "happy" diet.

Recommended Recipe: Gluten Free Zucchini Bread

An easy gluten free recipe, this zucchini bread is topped with a honey orange yogurt sauce that helps to sweeten up the recipe and add to its nutritional value. When combined, zucchini and yogurt pack a healthy punch of probiotics and vitamins that our bodies crave daily!

Greek Yogurt

When it comes to mood-boosting nutrition, Greek yogurt may take the gold medal. This dairy-based food is packed with more calcium, protein and probiotics than are found in regular yogurt and milk. All of which are essential nutrients that allow your brain to release the feel-good chemicals that create a good mood. As a snack, Greek yogurt can be eaten plain or topped with fresh fruit and granola. It can also be used as an ingredient in your favorite smoothie recipe to add extra creaminess.

Recommended Recipe: Frozen Protein Yogurt Bites

Try making these frozen protein yogurt bites for a quick on-the-go snack. A healthier alternative to ice cream, these treats have a melt-in-your-mouth delicious flavor that can be eaten any time of the day. Plus, they're a great way to cool off on warm summer afternoons.

Honey

10 Foods That Increase Happiness | Bob's Red Mill Blog Honey is loaded with beneficial nutrients. Its sweet and delicious taste makes it an excellent topping for just about any dessert food. Use honey to sweeten your tea or spread it on a slice of bread.

Recommended Recipe: Honey Lime Millet Salad

This refreshing salad is bursting with flavor! Topped with fresh produce like corn, zucchini (another mood-boosting food), tomatoes and fresh herbs, it's a great salad to make for your next gathering. Not to mention, its sweet and slightly tangy honey citrus dressing provides mood-boosting benefits with an added citrus flavor! Now that you're aware of just how much food can affect your mood, it's time to start incorporating these happy healthy foods into your diet. Whether you include one or all of them, the important thing is that you start. We hope this article encourages you on your journey to optimal health. Have a recipe that never fails to brighten your spirits? We'd love to know what it is. Let us know in the comments below!
Bob's Red Mill
March 10 2020

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