Cooking to boost positivity in the springtime sunshine
Are humans basically just houseplants? We fill up with water, vitamins and sunshine and life looks so much different. So shouldn’t the food we eat help keep the glow and positive vibes flowing?
As more sunny days come to the north state and we reel from the impact of starting daylight saving time again, this is the time of year where I seek to soak up more sunshine, and open my cupboards with the goal to keep positivity flowing with good food.
Incorporating more foods with the ability to increase serotonin production is a helpful part of this approach. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain, blood, intestines and connective tissues of the human body, which causes blood vessels to contract and helps transmit information across the nervoussystem.
The chemical been getting great press during the pandemic for helping battle depression, and I’ve gotten some help from a couple of cookbooks which focus on the vitamins and minerals facilitating good mood boosts and support for production in the body. For example, check out Jason Wrobel’s “Eaternity” which is packed with recipes for boosting every function of the body but especially aids with planning “good mood foods” in his words.
And, keeping a cruelty reduction mindset continues to be part of this journey, so there are luckily plenty of ways to boost the good mood chemicals without consuming fish or cheese, which doctors used to recommend. Turn to combinations using these plant-based options for a natural mood boost:
• Spinach
• Swiss chard
• Oats
• Cacao
• Sweet potato
• Almonds
• Green tea
• Sauerkraut
• Blueberries
• Goji berries
• Asparagus
I’ve also learned that to boost serotonin, you can’t forget tryptophan, an amino acid that is important for the production of serotonin in the body. It is also key to brain function and has a role in healthy sleep. Unlike serotonin, it is found in food, typically high in protein, with some vegetarian sources:
• Tofu and soy products
• Plantains
• Pineapple
• Bananas
• Kiwi fruit
• Plums
• Tomatoes
• Seeds, such as pistachio, flax, pumpkin and sunflower. Chia seeds also boost omega-3 production which aids in the boost.
• Nuts, particularly walnuts and
Carbohydrates cannot be forgotten, and for us vegans, should not be. Whole grain options like brown rice, bread and crackers also boost your levels, along with being a nice accompaniment to some of the above foods.