Hey MoodFoodie,
Did you know that my work as a Nutritional Psychiatrist was inspired by my maternal grandmother? Growing up, I loved working with her in the kitchen, preparing delicious meals for our family using an abundance of nutrient dense whole foods, calming herbs and spices and ingredients, like cinnamon, whose benefits are rooted in ancient nutrition.
These nutritional principals also inspired the ingredients in my new product Mood Food Mixers! Containing research backed ingredients like turmeric, beetroot powder and ginger, Mood Food Mixers combines nature’s finest ingredients to deliver holistic benefits for mind and body - making every sip as satisfying as it is functional.
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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: Kale
MOOD FOOD of the Week: Kale
Mood: Depression
Food: Kale
Research has shown that kale can help calm the mind because…
It is rich in sulforaphane, a sulfur-rich compound found in cruciferous vegetables that nurtures the microbiome for reduced neuroinflammation.
Kale is loaded with Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which act as antioxidants and help to protect the brain against the damaging effects of oxidative stress that can exacerbate symptoms of depression.
It is also an excellent source of Folate, a vitamin that helps to regulate neurotransmitter function whose deficiency has been linked to depression.
How to add this MOOD FOOD to your diet:
Kale is a tough but versatile leafy green that can be enjoyed raw or cooked and prepared in a variety of ways. It is a cruciferous vegetable, and is a delicious base to a big green salad with your favorite colorful veggies. If serving kale raw , it is recommended to massage it well with olive oil and lemon juice to break down the leaves. Kale is also a great green to use when cooking, whether you sauté it in a bit of avocado oil, add it to a batch of roasted veggies, or mix it in a hearty soup or stew. Because it’s a tougher green, the leaves can be used for lettuce wraps or baked in the oven or air fryer to make kale chips!
This week as part of my premium subscription, I am sharing my recipe for Kale & Walnut Pesto!
How to buy kale:
Kale is widely available in grocery or produce stores and farmers markets and can be purchased either fresh or frozen. You can purchase it as whole leaves or pre-chopped and packaged. When accessible, I recommend looking for organic varieties, as most leafy greens are commonly included in the “Dirty Dozen” list – meaning that it is high in pesticides, which can be damaging to mental fitness.
Wishing you a joyful & calm week,
Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD
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This Week’s Recipe: Kale & Walnut Pesto
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