Cold and gloomy weather causes only one desire – to get under the covers and yearn for warmth. Apathy seems to cover our heads during the fall and winter period. Instead of being active we watch movies, play on a Hellspin login website, or just lie in bed. But coping with it is easier than it seems. To achieve it, revise the diet. Let’s find out how to compose it with the season and which vitamins to pay attention to.
How Food Affects Our Mood
Often, if we eat something tasty, our mood improves. This is because certain foods trigger the production of certain substances in our brains.
Carbohydrates are responsible for serotonin. It calms, uplifts, and reduces stress. That is why children are often given a glass of warm milk with cookies before going to bed – starch, sugar and dairy products are quite high in carbs.
Protein products activate the production of dopamine and noradrenaline. These substances increase our concentration and alertness. That is why it is recommended to eat nuts when preparing for exams. For example, peanuts are 26% protein. It increases strength and performance.
With fats, the matter is more complicated. If there are a lot of them in the diet, then there will be excess weight and this will only worsen the mood. Scientists advise to pay more attention to fatty acids. The studies show that they help to overcome depression. Therefore, those who eat sea fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil will be in a good mood.
What Should a Diet in Winter Be
Sometime between September and March you need to adjust your diet as much as possible. At this time, our moods can change quickly, and studies prove that the food we choose also depends on it.
Anger increases impulsivity in our food choices – negative emotions want to eat a burger or rolls from a delivery. The same goes for sadness. Recall the cliché from movies – if the character is upset, he eats ice cream or chocolate.
At the same time people eat more healthy foods under the influence of positive emotions. The Influence of Incidental Affect on Consumers’ Food Intake Experiment showed that spectators ate more sweet popcorn to a sad movie and more grapes to a happy one.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should forget about sweets for the winter. You can eat any food you want, but try to make most of your diet healthy. That way you will eliminate the possibility of overeating and keep your mood toned.
The Mediterranean diet will help you in this. It’s so balanced that by following it, you can provide your body with all the necessary substances.
The Mediterranean Diet for a Good Mood
This diet is popular with Hollywood stars: Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz, and Jennifer Aniston. All because this diet helps to maintain a figure, gives a boost of energy and does not leave a feeling of hunger. So, the body won’t be stressed, and will get maximum benefits.
According to the rules of the Mediterranean diet, carbohydrates should make up 60% of the diet, protein – 10%, and fat – 30%. The main products are: durum wheat pasta, legumes, whole-grain bread, olive oil, avocados, and oily fish. Fresh vegetables and herbs, but frozen vegetables are also good.
There are no hard limits, but there is a certain food breakdown:
- A daily diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, bread, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and olive oil.
- Up to four times a week – poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt.
- No more than twice a month – red meat.
