Choose the right food for a better mood
By Nastasha Alli
Recipes by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen
"Good mood food" recipes that could leave you feeling better
Menu
Recipes for pumpkins and pumpkin seeds
- Jack-Be-Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
- Mixed Greens with Tuna and Pumpkin Seeds
- The Swarm (Candied Pumpkin Seeds)
- Pumpkin Lace Cookies
- Pumpkin Hermits
- Pumpkin Chocolate Bread
- Pumpkin Waffles
- Pumpkin Cheese Ball
- Pumpkin Carrot Soup with Mustard
- Sweet Potato Pumpkins
Suggested Recipes
- Candy Store Cupcakes
- Strawberry Blossom Cupcakes
- Rocky Road Cupcakes
- Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
- Easy Vanilla Cupcakes
- Berries and Chocolate Cupcakes
- Maple Chili Snack Mix
- Apricot Almond Energy Bars
- Curried Roasted Chickpeas
- Strawberry Fruit-Leather Rolls
Special occasion
Looking for a healthy, pick-me-up treat can be a challenge. A bag of potato chips or candied pretzels provides that instant satisfaction you're looking for, but be warned: junk food remorse almost always makes you feel worse.
Choosing healthier options
Experts believe that eating the right foods can help elevate your mood. That's because certain food nutrients help to produce neurotransmitters – including serotonin and dopamine, the brain's "good mood" chemicals. These mood-boosting chemicals help soothe your nerves, explains Amanda Schwartz, dietitian-in-chief at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
Studies suggest that foods such as salmon, oatmeal and air-popped popcorn could contribute to a happier you, thanks to mood-boosting nutrients such as tyrosine, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, soluble fibre, oleic acid (in olive oil), vitamin C, trytophan and folic acid.
Next time you feel the stress mounting, consider giving these good mood foods a try.
Recipes
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Carrot Oatmeal Muffins
Muffins are great for breakfast on the go or as a late-morning snack. This one has lots of variations – both inside and on top – for... -
Mixed Grain Breakfast Pudding
You can enjoy this right away or bake it on the weekend to freeze and reheat during the week. Milk or yogurt top it off nicely. -
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Tender moist chicken is delicious simplicity itself. Top with a dollop of ... -
Spiced Fish Fillets with Yogurt Sauce
Serve with: Couscous, bulgur or rice pilaf and steamed vegetables tossed in a little olive oil and lemon This spicy Middle E... -
Salmon en Papillote with Fennel and Roasted Peppers
Serve with: Scalloped potatoes. Fatty fish, such as salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with lowe... -
Grilled Halibut with Oyster Mushrooms
While the fish grills, the mushroom topping cooks alongside in a foil packetĀ — what could be simpler? You can try other varieties of mushroo... -
Spinach and Rice Phyllo Pie
Check out our "Meat-Free & Tasty" collection of recipes featuring six meatless main dishes that are hearty enough to satisfy any appetite. ... -
Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup with Tofu
Serve with: Romaine salad and whole wheat bagels This makes a great last-minute soup using frozen vegetables. Look for tofu ... -
Brown Rice, Bean and Pepper Pilaf
This high-carbohydrate side dish has whole grain brown rice, which has a low-glycemic index (or is slow acting). It's also low in fat and includes leg... -
Avocado and Tomato Appetizer
Top crusty bread, bruschetta-style, with this mix of creamy, ripe avocados, juicy tomatoes and sweet onion. If the tomatoes are tiny, just cut them in... -
Steamed Asparagus with Lemon
Rinse asparagus; snap off woody ends. In wide skillet of boiling water, cover and simmer asparagus until tender-crisp, about 8 minutes. (Or pla... -
20-Minute Lentil Soup
This vegetarian soup brims with flavourĀ — and nutrition. Spinach and lentils make it an excellent source of folate, carrots are an excellent... -
French Grape Harvest Cake
This light moist cake is simple and impressive. No Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise? Try a late-harvest Riesling, Vidal or even white grape juice. The smal... -
Exotic Tropical Fruit Salad
This exotic fruit salad is a bit of an indulgence to treat friends and family. -
Classic Seville Orange Marmalade
Here is the perfect-size batch of our often-requested classic, with its robust orange flavour. You won't believe how easy it is to put this homemade t... -
Oats and Whole Wheat Flatbread
Beautifully thin and crunchy, this flatbread tastes just as good on the fourth day as the first. You'll find malt syrup in health food stores and some...






