Tips to Boost Mood and Metabolism

What you eat can have an effect on your mood and metabolism. Here is our take on what you should eat to boost your energy and spirits:

Resist skipping meals
Skipping or missing a meal can cause a dip in your blood sugar, leading to crankiness and lethargy. Maintain your blood sugar levels, and your energy, by eating small amounts of food throughout the day. You might even prefer eating six smaller meals rather than three large ones.

Stay hydrated
Dehydration can also make you feel sluggish and lethargic. Be sure to drink throughout the day, and don’t rely on thirst alone to remind you to have another glass of water. Some experts say the average person needs about eight glasses of water, and that may be hard to drink without reminders.

Think moderation
Avoid a lot of caffeine, refined carbohydrates (sugar), alcohol, salt and other food additives. Any of these, especially in large amounts, can decrease your metabolic efficiency. Excess salt can disrupt your fluid balance, changing your daily water needs, not to mention increasing health risks like high blood pressure.

Strive for balance in the food you eat
Properly combine protein, carbohydrates and fat to achieve a balanced energy intake. In general, a healthy diet includes a mix of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and some protein, but each person has individual needs based on age, sex, physical activity level, body size, and stress factors. To determine the best foods for you, consult a nutritionist who can help you find the right balance.

Keep a food diary
Some foods can have the opposite effect and can trigger negative changes in mood and cause irritability or headaches. If you think a particular food might be affecting your mood, start a food diary. Record all the foods you eat each day and how you feel before and after every meal. After two weeks, review your entries to see if any foods line up with specific moods, either good or bad.