http://positivetranceformations.com.au/blog/foods-for-moods/ The body–mind link is undeniable, and what we eat can affect our moods. Eating to make ourselves feel better can become a problem when it becomes comfort eating or food addiction, but eating to restore low blood sugar levels can be a simple solution for beating stress and feeling better. So can eating foods that are rich in tryptophan, the amino acid needed to build serotonin, the brain chemical that makes us relax and feel peaceful. Chocolate (in moderation – 50 g of dark chocolate daily) is an excellent source of tryptophan but there are many other common and delicious foods that are also good sources of tryptophan.

1. TRYPTOPHAN: FOODS THAT
ENSURE GOOD SLEEP AND PROMOTES
RELAXATION
positivetranceformations.com.au

2. Foods containing tryptophan make
excellent suppers or bedtime snacks
as a way of ensuring good sleep and
promoting relaxation.

3. So what foods are rich in the
tryptophan needed for making
serotonin?

4. Serotonin is the brain chemical that
makes us feel satisfied, happy and at
peace.

5. The number one food should come as
no surprise: chocolate.

7. This is why chocolate addictions are so
prevalent – eating chocolate really
does boost your mood.

8. But before you go and purchase a
large block of chocolate and wolf down
the lot in an attempt to feel better,
remember that moderation is the key
and that chocolate is not the only
source of tryptophan.

9. When you do have some chocolate, go
for dark chocolate with 70% or more
cocoa solids to get the maximum
amount of tryptophan, and allow
yourself 50 grams a day.

10. Schedule a dark chocolate break and
savour it!

12. Other foods that are great sources
of tryptophan include:

13.  Oily fish such as salmon and tuna
Bananas
 Strawberries and raspberries
(strawberries dipped in dark
chocolate… mmm!)
 Apricots, fresh or dried

14.  Avocado
 Yeast – and this includes that Aussie
favourite, Vegemite
 Nuts, especially walnuts, Brazil
nuts, cashews and hazelnuts (also
decadent dipped in dark chocolate)
 Oysters

15.  Broccoli
 Brown rice and rice bran
 Lentils (make it into hummus or a dip)
 Sunflower seeds

17. This list is enough to inspire any cook
and has probably demonstrated the
mind–body link by making your
mouth water at some point.

18. They’re also readily available in the
majority of good supermarkets. And a
lot of those foods aren’t super-
expensive .

19. Many are simple to prepare into the
bargain – poached eggs alongside a
salad containing broccoli, avocado
dried apricots and sunflower seeds can
be prepared in less time than it takes
to whip down to the local takeaway.

20. What more could you ask?
Just remember the golden rule –
moderation!

21. Source: Positive Tranceformations
http://positivetranceformations.com.au