When we feel depressed or stressed, we often start eating in order to calm down. Scientists have found out that another reason for this situation es that food changes the brain chemistry. These changes influence our mood in a powerful way. Experts claim that food really influences our mood. But what should we eat and what should be avoided to use food as a mood improver?
TO CALM STRESS: recent studies claim that carbohydrate-rich food, such as rice, pasta and bread, can relieve stress. This happens because carbohydrates make the brain produce a substance called serotonin, which helps you feel better. On the other hand, it''s not a good idea to have a lot of caffein when you''re stressed, because it makes you feel more anxious and irritable. TO CALM DEPRESSION: add more meat, chicken, seafood and whole grain to your diet. These are rich in selenium, a mineral which helps you feel more relaxed and happier. You could also try eating a nut every day, because they contain a lot of selenium. But if we feel really bad, it''s not good to eat chocolate, because it can make us feel fine at the beginning, but about an hour later it may cause us to feel worse than before.