Mood Busters!

By Amal Al Toaimi

Good food is good mood.

Naturally, our food choices are not always “clean” or healthy, and we tend to crave junk food a lot. We convince ourselves that we are happier after surrendering to the hidden chocolate bar or bag of chips that was not meant to be eaten for another week, but then you get that “Oh no… What did I do?” feeling.

Well, that can be your blood sugar level crashing after succumbing to the junk food temptation. There are several foods known to be mood destroyers. Below is a list of known offenders, in addition to alternatives you can choose over those cravings.

Refined Carbs and Grain Products	Cereal, white bread, bagels, croissants, muffins, etc.	INSTEAD Whole grains, such as whole-wheat pastas, whole-grain bread, brown rice, quinoa and oats.
Sugar	Candy, sugary beverages including sport drinks, fruit beverages, fruit smoothies, etc.	INSTEAD Unsweetened coffee or tea, or water with lemon slices. Have a handful of raisins, nuts, seeds, grapes, or a piece of dark chocolate.
Trans Fats	Fast food, fried foods, potato chips and packaged nuts.	INSTEAD Air popped popcorn, baked potato or chilli, baked veggies, and grilled burgers (lettuce wrapped). Go for ways other than the fried option: grill, bake, roast, steam, etc.
Artificial Sweeteners	Splenda, Sweet n Low, Canderel, Equal, Agave Nectar, etc.	INSTEAD Raw honey, milk, carrots, beets, orange juice, maple syrup, apples and stevia.
Processed Foods	Canned soup, deli meats and packaged dried fruit.	INSTEAD Legumes, grilled salmon or tuna would also be beneficial, as seafood is known to improve your mood.