Super Foods to Elevate Mood and Overall Health

"If we are what we eat, with all the genetically modified and imitation foods we now eat, what the heck are we?"

-An anonymous individual living in the 21^st century

Food is fuel. Garbage in equals garbage out, resulting in an inefficiently working machine. It is true that what you consume, in large part, affects your mood and overall feeling. To keep your mood and energy levels up, it is important to fuel yourself with a healthy diet. For children who suffer from depression or seasonal affective disorder, there are options that should be considered before giving them prescription medication for their “condition”.

Many foods that children consume today are laden with sugar in many hidden forms. Consider breakfast cereals, energy drinks, and products that contain high fructose corn syrup. This is a major contributor to why obesity and other health ailments are striking more youth today than in past generations. Today’s processed food supply is saturated with all kinds of sugar that can throw blood glucose levels out of whack. Food manufacturers prey upon youth because they realize how addictive sugar can be, and they are adding it to an increasing number of food products.

If you are reading this thinking, “How am I going to get my child to like ‘healthy stuff’ because she just loves candy/cookies so much?”…then worry no more!

Stock the home with alternative sweet, healthy foods. Replace candy bars, cookies, and cakes with natural sugars such as fruits which contain fiber to help process the sugar better (and it’s a much lower concentration of fructose). This will also help to stabilize a child’s hormones which will help increase energy levels and overall mood, stabilize blood sugar, sharpen memory, improve concentration, etc.

Beyond natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables, there are other super foods that can boost a child’s spirits to make them feel happier and calmer throughout the day:

· Vitamin D rich foods (milk, salmon, mackerel, tuna, etc.) – vitamin D boosts serotonin levels which contribute to feelings of well-being

· Eat chocolate in small portions – research suggests that dark chocolate has many beneficial effects on one’s health (antioxidants help prevent cancer, stimulates the brain, helps prevent against heart attacks and other circulatory system malfunctions, lowers bad cholesterol levels, etc.)

· Nuts – research has shown that they benefit in helping increase life span (one of the best natural sources of vitamin E, B2, folate, protein, fiber, and essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium)

· Water – drink at least 6-8 glasses a day (equivalent to a 2 L bottle). Drink throughout the day even if you don’t feel thirsty. This is an energy booster and helps flush out any built up waste in the body which will slow down the metabolism and make a person feel sluggish

For more information on helping a child obtain overall SUPER HEALTH, please visit: www.douglashaddad.com.

Douglas Haddad, Ph.D. (“Dr. Doug”) is the author of parenting/child guidance book Save Your Kids…Now! The Revolutionary Guide To Helping Youth Conquer Today’s Challenges and a full-time public school teacher in Connecticut.