The Grocery List for Mental Health

When we're feeling anxious, stressed, or down-in-the-dumps, we often blame work, call up a therapist, or take a prescription. Basically, we look everywhere besides the food we eat to find the cause and treat mental distress. While many of these practices are enriching, self-caring, and often necessary, the foods we eat and what's going on in our gut is intrinsically connected to the moods we feel. Below is my comprehensive grocery list of foods that boost mood, improve sex drive, and ease stress.

• Shiitake mushrooms: contains vitamin D, which activates the genes that release serotonin and dopamine (PS–most of us are vitamin D deficient, especially in winter time, aka SAD, so stock up)

• Chickpeas: contains zinc, which boosts libido and nerve signaling in the brain, as well as plant-protein, which prompts the brain to manufacture chemical messengers in the brain

• Pumpkin seeds: high in magnesium, which can help alleviate irritability, anxiety, and depression

• Walnuts: full of DHA, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids (which the brain is mostly composed of)...the walnut is shaped like the brain for a reason!

• Broccoli: contains selenium, which is a trace mineral that plays an important role in many functions of the body. Some studies show that low levels of selenium can cause depression, anxiety, or fatigue.

• Oranges (and other citrus): loaded with vitamin C, which keeps inflammation down and fights free radicals that can cause inflammation (did you know that anxiety is literally inflammation in the brain!?)

• Bananas: contains prebiotic fiber, which acts as food for the beneficial gut bacteria (the gut-brain connection is real!)

• Eggs: can significantly boost blood plasma levels of tryptophan, which creates serotonin

• Dark leafy greens: a source of tryptophan, as well as iron which might dictate energy levels. They're also high in folate, which a deficiency of can cause depression, fatigue, or insomnia

---

---

What to Read Next