Happy Hormone Food

Serotonin is the body’s “happy hormone” it is the key hormone that stabilises our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. Serotonin is synthesized from an amino acid called tryptophan.

For a natural approach to trying to increase your serotonin levels, you can try eating foods that contain tryptophan. It’s known that tryptophan depletion is seen in those with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

The following foods are all high in tryptophan:

·         Asparagus.

·         Eggs – especially the yolk.

·         Cheese.

·         Salmon.

·         Tofu.

·         Nuts and seeds.

Some fruits, pineapple, bananas, kiwi, and plums all contain high amounts of naturally occurring serotonin so make a great addition to the mood food list.

We also need to factor in water. It is important to keep our body and mind hydrated, boosting their performance. It is recommended to consume 2 litres of water per day, excluding caffeinated drinks.

In pursuit of a healthy body and mind there are obviously things we should avoid. These include

• Simple carbohydrates/sugar. This is because all these food play havoc with the body’s blood sugar levels which can exacerbate anxiety and depression.

• Caffeinated drinks – tea, coffee, fizzy drinks etc. These act as a stimulant which can also aggravate anxiety and depression.

• Alcohol. This has a hindering effect it has on REM sleep, even one glass of beer or wine can have an impact.

Ironically, we often reach for many of the food listed above when we are feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious. Whilst they may feel comforting and give us a short-term boost, they contain very few vitamins and minerals and can actually increase our symptoms once the initial effect has worn off.