Eating Habits to Help Stay Happy Over the Winter
During the long winter days, it is common to feel tired and unhappy. The lack of warmth and sun can certainly affect your mood. For this reason, we have put together a list of mood-boosting foods to help you make it through the season with a smile.
- Eat Plenty of Citrus – The smell of citrus fruits helps to energize you and reduce sadness. The essential oils help diminish stress and vitamin C helps to strengthen your immune system. This is particularly beneficial during the cold and flu season. Vitamin C also helps your body to absorb iron. If you lack iron, you may feel tired or exhausted.
- Add Berries to Your Diet – Berries can have antidepressant benefits. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries all contain folate which is used by your brain to function correctly. When you lack folate, you may find it harder to remain positive and feel good, so be sure to eat berries regularly.
- Switch to a Healthy Cereal – The fibre and vitamin B found in cereal are great for helping you maintain a healthy metabolism and nervous system. Ones that contain chia, buckwheat, and hemp contain protein and omegas to help keep your serotonin level balanced and ward off sadness.
- Have Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate contains plenty of iron, theobromine, and magnesium which helps to energize you. Chocolate also helps to decrease your cortisol level, which lowers your risk of depression.
- Enrich Your Diet with Leafy Vegetables – While greens like kale, cabbage, and spinach are full of iron, they also contain vitamins B and C, as well as fibre. This combination will help boost your mood.
- Use Winter Spices and Herbs – Cinnamon, ginger, and cumin are considered winter spices. They can speed up your metabolism, increase your stamina, and help you feel warm and happy.
- Snack on Nuts and Legumes – These tasty, high fibre snacks help to manage your blood sugar levels, enabling you to avoid mood swings. They also have magnesium, iron, and more, providing energy for your day.
- Choose Fatty Fish – Omega‑3 fats help provide fuel for your brain and are also great for your heart. To help you feel better during the winter, eat fatty fish more frequently.
Learning how food can affect your mood and well-being is vital. If you are interested in learning how to keep your mood up the natural way, becoming a holistic nutritionist may be an excellent career path. At Edison Institute of Nutrition, we offer a variety of online courses to help you establish a new career.
We are internationally “online”, recognized in Canada for our nutrition programs, and we provide online courses to students worldwide. These courses are designed to meet a variety of nutrition-related guidelines.
For details about our programs and diplomas, call Edison Institute of Nutrition today at or contact us to speak with one of our educational advisors.
