Hey MoodFoodie,
Do you know just how nutrition impacts feelings of stress and anxiety? The foods that we eat are incredibly influential on either calming stress or making anxiety symptoms worse.
In a recent YouTube video, I share just how different foods can be used to calm the mind. Check out the video here and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to be the first to see my new videos!
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Each week, I’m here to share recommendations on which foods to incorporate into your diet and how to do so for optimal mental health. Also, paid subscribers will get exclusive recipes each week that utilize those foods!
MOOD FOOD of the Week: Beets
MOOD FOOD of the Week: Beets
Mood: Depression
Food: Beets
Research has shown that beets can help calm the mind because…
They contains tryptophan, an amino acid that supports the healthy production of the neurotransmitter serotonin which supports improved mood.
Beets are also an excellent source of vitamin C, a vitamin that doubles as a powerful antioxidant for reduced neuroinflammation and healthy cognition.
They are also rich in folate, a vitamin whose deficiency is largely tied to symptoms of depression.
How to add this MOOD FOOD to your diet:
Beets are coming into season this month and I love seeing they many colorful varieties every time I go shopping! They are a food that can be enjoyed either raw or cooked so you can experiment with the many ways of incorporating them into meals. I love adding shredded raw beets to a leafy green salad to add a pop of color - this can help you eat the rainbow! You can also roast or steam whole beets to enjoy as a side dish with your favorite clean protein or add them to a green breakfast smoothie for added mood boosting nutrients! Powdered beets are sometimes used by bakers to create a natural red color instead of artificial food coloring/dyes.
This week, as part of my premium subscription, I am excited to share my recipe for my Pink Porridge, which gets its beautiful pink hue from my new product Mood Food Mixers!
How to buy beets:
Beets are commonly found wherever you shop for your vegetables! You can buy them raw still on the stem or with the stem detached in the produce section, while many stores now sell ready to eat and cooked with minimal added ingredients or chemicals in the refrigerated section. You can also purchase them canned and ready to eat in the aisles of the grocery store. Just watch for any added sugars or sodium, and BPA-free cans - as this chemical can be detrimental to mental fitness!
Wishing you a joyful & calm week,
Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD
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Culinary Psychiatry Center
This Week’s Recipe: Pink Porridge
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