Happy food for good well-being and sleep

I do have my own list of good mood food – think all junk food. In particular, I will go for chocolates, french fries, potato chips and ice cream (and the junk food list goes on). However, does eating all these junk food really make my mood better?

I must admit that eating greasy fried food gives me an instantaneous happiness and that is because my cravings were met. But afterwards, I will feel bloated due to indigestion, and that feeling will make me feel a lot worse.

What food could make us feel good then?

On 11 November 2008, TODAY (Singapore’s local newspaper) covered a special story on Happy Food for a Lousy Mood.

Here’s the formula to get “Good Mood”:

Protein + Complex Carbs = Good Mood

Protein raise tryptophan levels in our bodies which help the body to produce serotonin, the “mood-lifting” brain chemical that makes a person feel good.

You can get protein from lean meat, seafood, eggs and tofu. Other sources of tryptophan include almonds, sesame seeds and peanuts.

In addition, you should take some complex carbs too. You can find it in food like whole grains, potatoes, pumpkin and yam. These food help the body to uptake and metabolise tryptophan into serotonin more effeciently.

Serotonin also help you sleep better, thus enhancing your overall well-being.

Now, you know what to eat to be in a good mood!