A nutritionist shares the 35 best foods to boost mood and brain energy levels: 'Put these on your grocery list'
Food and mood are so intricately connected that they've inspired a new area of brain study: Nutritional psychiatry, which examines how what we eat impacts how we feel. As a dietitian and nutritionist who has researched and experienced this connection firsthand, I find it infinitely fascinating that we can empower ourselves to feel partly — or sometimes entirely — better based on our dietary habits. The foods you eat can make or break everything from your work and productivity to your mental state and physical health. To boost your mood and brain energy levels, put these 35 foods on your grocery list:

Complex carbs

1. Pumpkin seeds

2. Apples

3. Chickpeas

4. Strawberries

5. Oatmeal Complex carbs pack in more nutrients than simple carbs and, due to their higher fiber content, take longer to break down. They also help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can stabilize your mood. Fluctuations in blood glucose can cause your mood to change rapidly, leaving you irritable, low on energy and feeling downright dreadful.

Lean protein

6. Eggs

7. Salmon

8. Lentils

9. Chicken

10. Lean beef Protein is necessary for healthy energy levels. It takes longer to digest than carbs, keeping your blood sugar balanced and providing lasting energy. It also affects hormones that control satiety, so when you eat enough of it, you can ward off "hanger." Amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, help repair and replenish tissue — and your body needs them to make certain neurotransmitters.

Healthy fats

11. Avocados

12. Olives

13. Tofu

14. Dark chocolate

15. Sardines Omega-3 fatty acids are part of cell membranes, particularly in the brain, and eating foods like salmon and sardines has been shown to ease depression and boost mood. Beyond omega-3s, the unsaturated fats found in foods like avocados, olives and nuts may help keep inflammation at bay and reduce blood pressure, which are important for brain health. Eating enough healthy fats helps your immune system, too.

Folate

16. Spinach

17. Asparagus

18. Brussel sprouts

19. Pomegranates

20. Shellfish Folate plays a role in the production of dopamine and impacts other mood-related neurotransmitters, helping you keep calm and carry on. It has also been shown to help prevent neural tube defects, support cell growth and repair, and regulate sleep patterns, especially as you age. A deficiency in folate levels has been linked to a number of brain issues, including dementia and depression.

Iron

21. Potatoes

22. Turkey

23. Cashews

24. Kidney beans

25. Quinoa Low iron can cause fatigue and depression. The proteins found in iron also help maintain healthy brain function and development. Consuming too much or not enough of this mineral can impact both your innate and adaptive immune functions. When you have healthy levels of iron and use it effectively, harmful bacteria can't use the mineral for growth. And certain white blood cells fight off infection by carefully managing their iron levels.

Vitamin C

26. Oranges

27. Lemons

28. Kiwi

29. Bell peppers

30. Tomatoes Vitamin C is an antioxidant that assists the body's ability to make neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, which both work to stabilize mood. Your body needs vitamin C to maintain and repair all tissues, so it helps wounds and cuts heal. Plus, your adrenal glands require vitamin C to make stress hormones, including cortisol. The more stressed you are, the more cortisol you produce — and the more vitamin C you need.

Melatonin