We’re always told not to eat our emotions, not to drown our sorrows in a pint of ice cream or mindlessly munch when we’re bored. But, what about eating positively? Are there foods we can eat that will actually improve our moods? Is there a way to eat that will make us happy?

Studies have shown that consuming the right types of food at the right times and in the right amounts can in fact make us happy. Proper eating has been shown not only to improve mood but also to also enhance mental acuity, control cravings and increase energy. I’m smiling already!

Eating yourself happy doesn’t have to be a chore. With a few simple changes you will see and feel a difference immediately. To start off remember to keep it simple, keep it real. As in, eat real foods. Processed foods are draining. The excess calories, salt and preservatives are taxing to your body. They slow you down physically and mentally. A recent study from the University of California, Los Angles found that people are who gave up processed foods showed a significant improvement in their memory and overall mental functions in just two weeks. In other words, the smart move is to go for the apple and avoid the apple-flavored fruit bar.


Eat breakfast. Yes, I know you’ve heard this a million times before. But breakfast is so important that it bears repeating again and again. By the time you reach the breakfast hour, your body has gone a long time with out food. You have depleted your stores of glycogen, the brain’s primary food source. To compensate, your hungry brain releases a chemical called neuropeptide Y. The whole purpose of this sneaky little chemical is to make you eat carbohydrates to refuel your brain so you can think more clearly and feel calmer. But that doesn’t mean you should down a half-dozen donuts. Your brain and body need complex carbohydrates: whole-grains and fruit. These high-quality carbohydrates will help you fend off any desire for binging and will lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, throughout the day. So eat some whole-grain cereal or bread and fresh fruit first thing in the morning and you’ll set the precedent for a low-stress day.

Consume some fat at lunch. By mid-day your body’s production of the hunger-inducing hormone, galanin is close to its peak. Galanin triggers fat cravings. But this isn’t an invitation to go crazy with a huge plate of French fries or a bacon cheeseburger. In fact, eating this type of food will actually increase your fat cravings by sending your galanin production into overdrive. And as a result you’ll just crave more and more fat, which can put anyone in a grouchy mood. So be smart about your fat consumption: add an avocado to your salad, order a side of olives or munch on some nuts.

Dinner should be your lightest meal of the day consisting of approximately 500 calories. Fruit, veggies, lean protein and a little fat is your best bet. You won’t sleep well if your body is busy digesting a heavy meal. It’s true that you may feel sleepy after a big meal, but that is just because your blood has been diverted from your brain to your stomach. You’re not really tired and all that activity in your gut raises your metabolism and prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep. And a sleep-deprived person is definitely not a happy person.

And finally, add some super foods to your diet. Super foods are those wonderful little gems that pack a whole lot of nutrients in very little calories. These foods also contain lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants are awesome. They protect the brain from free radicals that would otherwise speed aging, slow memory and dampen mood. It’s easy to find super foods, just look for super colors. Almost all berries, dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, carrots and mangoes are just some of the best “super foods” around. Nuts, beans and whole-grains rank up there too. As does fish. Fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which help brain cells stay flexible. Flexible brain cells are better at transporting nutrients and getting rid of toxins. If you don’t like fish or are a vegetarian opt for yogurt or soy products that contain DHA (the most important omega-3). Read the labels so you know what you’re getting.

If you think about, it makes sense that if you feed your body crap all the time you will feel like crap. Our bodies are highly efficient machines that allow for some mistakes. But if you feed your body the right way, you will be amazed at how well it functions. By eating the right foods you will not only look better and perform better (both mentally and physically) but you will feel better. Eating right will make you happy.