You know the phrase “you are what you eat”. Well this is true of your brain as well. Your mood is highly dependent on chemical balances in your brain. Brain chemicals like serotonin and endorphins (so called “feel good” neurotransmitters) are assembled in your brain from the food you eat. Further, your actual brain cells are made of building blocks from your diet. A poor diet can lead to poorly built, poorly functioning brain cells. Finally, your brain needs a constant supply of fuel in the form of blood sugar to perform. When blood sugar levels drop, you can feel sluggish, edgy, and mentally fogged. In addition, dips in blood sugar usually lead to dips in mood. The right food choices can ensure that your brain receives a steady fuel supply, keeping your emotions and energy levels on an even keel. Ultimately, both the structure of your brain cells and your brain chemistry are dependent on the food you eat. You can’t build a healthy brain out of junk food.

1. Stable Blood Sugar Equals Stable Moods

The fastest way to crash your mood is to crash your blood sugar. While the rest of your body can burn fat and protein for energy, your brain can only run on sugar. When your blood sugar drops, you are literally starving your brain, and a dip in mood is sure to follow. So how do you prevent blood sugar crashes? Ironically, one of the most important things is to avoid eating sugar! Sugar, white bread, and snack chips all cause your blood sugar to surge up and then crash down, destabilizing your brain chemistry. On the flip side, natural whole foods (see Simple Enjoyable Healthy Eating) like organic meats, cheeses, nuts, beans, and real whole grains help you maintain consistent blood sugar levels and stabilize your mood. If you need to eat something sweet, fresh fruit is your best bet. Just about all fruit is healthy in moderation. Berries are one of the best types of fruit. They are low in calories, high in antioxidants, and slow to digest, which means they stabilize blood sugar. Apples are pears are also good choices for blood sugar control.