Fruit and Mood
You might think that a donut will make you feel better, but will it? Sure, your sugary little friend looks good sitting there in the box just waiting for you, but the facts are that you are much better off with a healthy and nutritious piece of fruit.
Fruit can actually improve and stabilise your mood. Many people are surprised to learn that fruit can actually improve overall mood and mental outlook, but this is definitely the case. The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants present in fruit can do wonders to help keep you body and mind in great shape.
Here are some tips how to use fruit to improve your mood:
1. Choose foods high in soluble fibre
The apple, for example, is high in soluble fibre. It is a good workplace snack that won’t cause any problematic mood swings. Additionally, apples will provide you with extra fibre and nutrition. When you eat soluble fibre, sugar is released into your system in a much slower fashion. As a result, you will avoid the mood swings so often associated with that donut.
Junk food comes with the risk of mood swings. Your blood sugar levels spike as a result of the sugar hitting your system. Luckily, with fruit, you don’t have this kind of problem.
2. Eat more frequently
Having a piece of fruit every four to five hours can do wonders to keep blood sugar levels normal and mood swings at bay. Because fruit is low in calories, you can eat it at various times throughout the day without gaining weight.
3. Get more folate and B12 to tackle depression
Many people who are suffering from depression are instructed to eat more folate and B12. Oranges and bananas are both great sources of folate.
4. Keep hydrated
Along with drinking water at work, eating fruit is another way to stay hydrated because of its high water content. Often people who are dehydrated suffer from fatigue and depression. Staying hydrated will not only make you feel better, but it will keep you looking younger as well.
Author: Wendy Visontay - Founder of Fruit at Work