You probably have heard that regular snacking is not good for you as it’s associated with issues like obesity, weight gain, and hypertension. However, this perception is not entirely true. It’s in fact directed to unhealthy snacking. Healthy snacks like berries and apples are actually beneficial. Remember, your brain is constantly working and thus it requires enough fuel always. The source can be healthy snacks. Additionally, healthy snacks contain high-quality vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that you need to stay active.
Now, there are strong suggestions that snacks could actually boost your mood. Wondering how? Healthy snacks, especially whole fruits, are known to naturally improve serotonin levels. Serotonin is a potent neurotransmitter that’s responsible for calming your nerves and relaxing you. It’s what makes you cheerful. In the end, your self-confidence and social prowess improve. So as you can have a better understanding of how healthy snacking makes your mood better, here are 10 considerations:
- Mental Energy
It’s worth noting that the primary reason for snacking is to get extra mental energy. By taking snacks rich in amino acids, you are able to boost your brain power tremendously. What this means is that your brain doesn’t suffer from mental exhaustion easily. Mental exhaustion is what stresses your brain and makes you moody. So, you could save yourself a lot of stress if you take enough healthy snacks. You just have to ensure that you avoid high calories. Your target should by high-proteins
- Stable Blood Glucose
When you don’t take enough food, your blood sugar drops, a condition we call hypoglycemia. The problem with hypoglycemia is that it messes up your mood. However, it can be fixed by snacking. Recent research by the University of Illinois suggests that regular snacking maintains your blood glucose. It protects you from becoming too irritated and unreasonable. These issues are related to irregular blood sugar level.
Instead of resorting to junks when your blood glucose drops, you should take some healthy snacks. The advantage is that you don’t have to take too much of it but just enough. This will help to effortlessly normalize your blood sugar levels. Since your body will have enough fuel, then your mood will definitely stabilize. You’ll become more energized both physically and mentally.
- Brain Hydration
Your brain needs enough fluid to stay active. If it’s not hydrated sufficiently, then it becomes hard to concentrate. You become too jumpy and your mood changes. For a quick fix, you need healthy snacks like berries and watermelons. They are known to hydrate your body quickly. The biggest beneficiary happens to be the brain. In addition to fruit snacks, you can also take healthy smoothies and herbal tea. However, you need to make sure you don’t take excess caffeine.
- Appetite Control
It’s generally possible to have mood swings when you don’t have control over your appetite. If your appetite is high, you need to find a way to hold yourself from going for junk foods. Taking healthy snacks, apparently, is one of them. It’ll help to manage your appetite and to stabilize your mood in the long run.
- Excitement Trigger
Snacks generally put you in a happy mood. You become so excited when you know it’s snacking time. The moment you are excited, your mood improves. Scientifically, snacking gives your brain powerful nutrients that it needs to have improved serotonin levels. As you already know, improved serotonin means a better mood. You also have to remember that your brain needs fuel to go through a long and tireless day. Luckily, the fuel can be injected through regular healthy snacking.
- Body Calmness
Healthy snacks like strawberries enhance endorphin levels. Endorphins are special neurotransmitters which help to calm your body against physical pain and anxiety. This is important since you are likely to become moody when you are you are in pain or when anxious. You can avoid the setback by taking healthy snacks.
You may not be aware but healthy snacks like bananas and nuts may help you fall in love with yourself. This is crucial for enjoying a better mood. The snacks are known to boost oxytocin levels. This hormone is known to stimulate social connections and to make you happy. So, whenever you are feeling sad, just take some oxytocin-boosting snacks.
- Gut-Mood Relationship
Are you aware that your gut health dictates your emotional wellbeing? Actually, if your gut is uncomfortable, so will your brain. Likewise, if you are stressed by something else, your gut will feel the effect. As a result, it can either slow down digestive functions or speed them up. To ensure that your digestion is normal, you need enough fiber and fluid. Fortunately, you can get them from healthy snacks. So, snacks will give your gut what it needs to stay relaxed. In the end, your brain relaxes too.
- Enhanced Concentration
A lot of times, you become moody because your brain cannot concentrate on a specific matter. Nonetheless, taking snacks that are healthy between your meals ensures that you are able to maintain focus. In this case, you can go through the mid-morning and the afternoon without becoming mentally disturbed. This is quite important when you are either working or studying. Some of the options to consider for enhanced concentration are leafy greens, whole fruits, and popcorns.
- Counters Depression
According to a 2017 review, researchers argue that healthy snacking may help reduce depression symptoms. As you know, your mood is negatively affected when you are depressed. The researchers found that healthy fruit snacks contain probiotics, beneficial bacteria. The bacteria are important for your digestive health.
Another study in the same year shows that taking green snacks like spinach and kales counters depression. The study indicates that leafy greens contain folate which improves the metabolism of neurotransmitters noradrenaline and serotonin. These two are known to enhance your mood and general mental wellbeing.