Hey MoodFoodie,
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Are you looking for ways to naturally boost your mood and emotional wellbeing? Are you interested in making healthy choices now that will benefit your health in the future?
Nutritional Psychiatry focuses not only on how specific foods help improve our mood and reduce stress, but also how we can use food to impact our cognitive ability and memory as we age.
Simple adjustments can slowly but steadily become habits you can incorporate for the rest of your life in order to create lasting mental fitness. Each week, I’ll share recommendations here using foods you can add to your diet to support your mental health.
I love bringing you the latest in Nutritional Psychiatry each week to boost your overall well-being. My new book Calm Your Mind with Food is a revolutionary full-body approach to relieving anxiety, including anti-anxiety recipes and meal plan guidelines.
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MOOD FOOD of the Week: Turmeric
Mood: Anxiety
Food: Turmeric
Research has shown that turmeric can help calm the mind because…
Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that can reduce the damaging effects of oxidative stress in the brain and has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety-like behaviors.
It is a strong anti-inflammatory agent, and can help calm the central nervous system to improve focus and lessen anxiety.
Turmeric helps to regulate neurotransmitter function in the brain, specifically, serotonin and dopamine levels, for improved mood.
How to add this MOOD FOOD to your diet:
Turmeric is a versatile spice that is a staple in my kitchen. I enjoy it every morning in a Golden Milk Turmeric Latte to start my day mentally fitl. It can also be used to add flavor to roasted vegetables, egg frittatas, stews, tofu, wild caught salmon and other clean proteins. You can add the root to a blender for a smoothie, or puree it into a sauce or soup. Just always be sure to add a pinch of black pepper to your turmeric as it increases the bioavailability of the curcumin by over 2000%.
This week, as part of my premium subscription, I am sharing my recipe for Turmeric Infused Cauliflower Rice!
How to buy turmeric:
Turmeric can be purchased ground into a powder in most grocery stores in the spice aisle. You can also find it as the whole root form in many specialty markets or farmers markets, or in pre-made products like tea bags or drink mixes in the wellness section of many stores. Be careful– if you are cooking with it, it does stain clothes and countertops.
Wishing you a joyful & calm week,
Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD
My course on MasterClass is now available!
Struggling with forgetfulness, anxiety, or brain fog? I am thrilled to announce that my new course is now available on MasterClass! Learn science-backed tips from the world’s leading brain experts to keep your mind sharp, while exploring the science of "super aging." Episode 1 of Brain Health is streaming now:
In The News
CNBC: It’s well known that ultra-processed foods are bad for health. In this article I share the #1 ultra-processed food that I avoid and offer tips on what to enjoy instead!
WCVB: Pack your children a brain nourishing lunch box! Curious as to which foods improve children’s mood? Check it out here!
Harvard Gazette: There are many foods out there that we know are bad for us, but our bodies still crave them! In this article I discuss why we crave junk food and how to cultivate healthier habits.
MindBodyGreen: Check out my anti-anxiety grocery list here!
This Week’s Recipe: Turmeric Infused Cauliflower Rice
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