If you're back in the office and suffering from the post-festive blues, we've no doubt you'll want to stock up on these six healthy mood-boosting foods...
1 Dark Chocolate
Good news – you don’t have to give up the choccie just yet! Research has shown that dark chocolate can help to boost the production of ‘feel-good’ endorphins in your brain. Plus, it also contains serotonin, which acts as an antidepressant.
2 Spinach
It’s no wonder Popeye was gulping back this leafy green. Not only is it an excellent source of nutrients, it also contains a high dose of folic acid, which is a mood-boosting B-vitamin.
3 Oily fish
From sardines and mackerel to tuna and trout, oily fish is packed full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. This has been shown to help the brain interpret moods and boost concentration levels.
4 Oats
For a quick and easy morning mood lift, swap sugary cereals for porridge oats. Oats will release energy slowly, meaning you’ll avoid the sharp rise and fall in blood sugar that can leave you feeling grumpy.
If you’ve got bananas that are starting to turn brown, why not whip up these easy breakfast muffins?
5 Bananas
This portable snack contains the amino acid tryptophan which is needed to make melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep cycle. More sleep = better mood!
6 Lentils
They may be small in size, but these legumes pack a health punch. Like oats, lentils are a complex carb that will help stabilise blood sugar. Plus, they contain folate, a lack of which has been linked to depression.
