Dr. Uma's Mood Foods

Hi ,

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.

Mood: Depression
Food: Arugula

Research has shown that Arugula can help calm the mind because…

It is rich in folate which plays a role in regulating neurotransmitter function for improved mood and whose deficiency is common in those with depressive symptoms

Arugula contains sulforaphane, a plant compound that helps to reduce inflammation in the brain linked to low mood

It is also high in fiber which helps to feed the good bacteria in the gut for a balanced microbiome associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety

How to add this MOOD FOOD to your diet:
Arugula is a super powerful leafy green because it doubles as a cruciferous vegetable! It has a slightly peppery flavor that can be refreshing year round but pairs well with warm winter veggies like butternut squash! It is a delicious addition to a big green salad or as the main ingredient in an arugula salad with other colorful veggies, clean protein and a drizzle of olive oil. Some enjoy arugula wilted or sauteed in avocado oil with earthy flavors like garlic and mushrooms or mixed into a hearty veggie stew for a pop of green! Try out my “Go To Calm Green Salad” on page 253 of my new book, Calm Your Mind with Food.

Well+Good: Eating foods that decrease gut inflammation is an effective way to boost your mood! Learn more here.

Keeping It Real with Jillian Michaels: Check out this podcast where I talk with Jillian Michaels about the worst offending foods and added ingredients that exacerbate anxiety and depression, as well as the most powerful foods and nutrients to optimize focus, contentment, and calm. Plus, top foods to boost libido!

5 Anti-Inflammatory Foods To Eat For A Younger, Healthier Brain: This week on mindbodygreen, take a look at this list of the top five "anti-aging" foods I recommend to help protect your brain from damage over time.

Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: I join CNN’s Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta on his podcast to talk about how to build a strong brain and keep it sharp. Listen in here