Food is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, when most of us hear the word diet, we think of weight loss and restrictive eating habits that are anything but fun. What we really should be thinking about is how powerful the food we eat can be and the positive effect it has on our mind, body and yes, mood.

There are foods that help improve the quality of your skin, foods that can help you get a better night’s sleep, foods that are great for digestion and foods that can help to put you in a better mood. And no, we’re not talking about those cravings that give you a temporary high only to leave you feeling guilty later on.

These healthy picks are filled with vitamins and minerals that improve your brain health and help to reduce stress and prevent nutrition deficiencies that lead to bigger problems.

FATTY FISH

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon and tuna have been linked to lowering depression and help to improve brain health.

DARK CHOCOLATE

From the caffeine to the antioxidants to the downright delicious taste, dark chocolate can help to boost your mood in a multitude of ways. Opt for 70% cocoa or more.

FERMENTED FOODS

Think yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and kombucha. These foods are great for digestion, support the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut and increase serotonin levels.

BERRIES

The antioxidants in berries like blueberries, raspberries and blackberries help to fight free radicals that lead to inflammation and diseases associated with it.

OATS

Oats help to improve your mood by slowing your digestion of carbs, helping to stabilise your blood sugars and leaving you feeling fuller and more satisfied for longer.

COFFEE

Is it a shock at all that coffee is the perfect sip to put you in a great mood? Both the caffeine and antioxidants in coffee increase the release of mood boosting neurotransmitters while helping to prevent tiredness and sluggishness.