Hey MoodFoodie,
Have you seen my new YouTube video?
In this video, I share the recipe for one of my favorite smoothie recipes. It is loaded with nutrients to help keep calm this holiday season. Click here to learn more
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Mood Food connection
Recipes
Trending topics related to food, mood, and mental health!
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Are you interested in making healthy choices now that will benefit your health in the future? Nutritional Psychiatry focuses on how specific foods help improve our mood, reduce stress and how we can use food to impact our cognitive ability and memory as we age.
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!
Looking to learn even more? My latest book, Calm Your Mind with Food, is a revolutionary full-body approach to relieving anxiety and includes anti-anxiety recipes and meal plan guidelines.
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MOOD FOOD of the Week: Quinoa
Mood: Depression
Food: Quinoa
Research has shown that quinoa can help calm the mind because…
Quinoa is a source of folate and pyridoxine, two B vitamins that help to regulate neurotransmitter function whose deficiency has been linked to depression.
It is also loaded with nutrients like zinc and iron, two nutrients whose deficiency has been linked to increased risk of depression.
Quinoa is a great source of dietary fiber, which feeds the good bacteria in the gut for a healthy microbiome and improved mood.
How to add this MOOD FOOD to your diet:
Quinoa is a gluten-free whole grain that is naturally higher in protein than other grains and can be enjoyed at all meals! For breakfast, many people enjoy quinoa as an alternative to oatmeal or cereal (check out the recipe in today’s premium subscription!). For lunch and dinner, quinoa is delicious mixed with your favorite colorful veggies and a homemade dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs or spices. Although it is high in protein, you may also choose to enjoy it with a clean protein of your choice such as wild-caught salmon or grass-fed beef. If you purchase quinoa dry, you will need to cook it using a similar method to cooking rice. You can do so in plain water or bone broth, with added spices for extra flavor and mood-boosting benefits. Make sure to rinse thoroughly before you cook it to remove bitterness.
This week, as part of my premium subscription, I am excited to share my recipe for Homemade Cereal!
How to buy quinoa:
Quinoa can be found in grocery stores typically in the grain aisle near the dry rice and pastas. Some stores also sell it in bulk. It is common to be able to find it in the prepared foods section of stores already cooked, but check the ingredients list– some stores may drizzle prepared quinoa with processed seed oils, which can be detrimental to mental fitness.
Wishing you a joyful & calm week,
Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD
My course This Is Your Brain on Food - The Course is now available!
My comprehensive course, This Is Your Brain On Food, has helped so many people transform their mental well-being—and now it’s your turn!
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In The News
MSN: Food really can transform your mental health. I explain how in this article!
HuffPost: Looking to reduce stress? Start by removing these comfort foods from your diet!
Lose It!: These healthy habits are key for dementia prevention!
MindBodyGreen: What’s the key to productivity? It may just be in your beverage choices!
This Week’s Recipe: Quinoa Cereal
This week’s recipe to accompany our Mood Food is available to premium subscribers. Upgrade now to never miss a recipe or other exclusive content in your inbox!
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