Foods and Negative Emotions: What to Avoid?
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Food Myths

Foods and Negative Emotions: What to Avoid?

8 Mins read
cigna-teamAuthorCigna Team

We all love eating. And doing what we love should put us in a good mood, right? Well ... depends. Eating certain foods could, believe it or not, give you a bad mood. The good news is you can get rid of negative energy by avoiding the below foods.

All the preservatives, colorings and additives in packaged meats can give you headaches, make you feel fat, and change your mood for the worse. Roast your own meats instead, or ask your local butcher for slices from meats that they roast in-house!

While most people think they can drink to get merry, the truth is alcohol can cause chemical imbalance in the brain and affect your mood, thoughts and actions negatively. So always drink in moderation!

We recommend maintaining a safe level of alcohol consumption; the below drinks are referring to standard beer, glass of wine, or shot of bar measured spirits.

  • 2 drinks per day for adult men
  • 1 drink per day for adult women
  • 1 drink per day for anyone aged over 65

If you’re struggling to control the intake, quit drinking.

how-does-processed-foods-affect-bad-mood-cigna-smart-health

Check out the chocolate, chips and donuts in their colourful, bright, enticing packaging! You’d think eating those would without a doubt make you feel happy, right? Wrong. The trans fat in these processed foods can make you irritable and angry. Not only that, trans fat is also bad for your heart and liver!

The excess fructose in agave nectar is what makes you moody as it increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. Manuka honey would make a great alternative to agave nectar.

Coffee, the good old pick-me-up … surely it’s good for your mood, right? Right, if you only drink one or two cups a day. Too much caffeine can affect your hormones and neurotransmitters, making you moody and causing anxiety.

So what can you eat without feeling blue afterwards?

Bananas - Rich in vitamin B6, bananas are a great mood booster.

Yoghurt - Great for keeping your gut healthy and your mind happy.

Nuts and Seeds - They contain tryptophan, which helps boost the level of serotonin, the feel-good hormone.

What’s more, we can turn these ingredients into a glorious healthy breakfast in a few simple steps.

Banana-Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

1 banana

Some flaxseeds

1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt

2/3 cup ice cubes

1 teaspoon honey, if desired

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth and well mixed - Voilà!

So … eat this, not that. The choice is all yours!

Sources:

  1. Forkly - Foods That Can Put You In A Bad Mood
  2. Healthline - mood-food
  3. Heart Matters magazine - Banana yoghurt smoothie recipe

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