6 Foods to Fix Your Mood

Updated on 10/27/2014 at 7:37 AM

Good food can be a cure for anything! Check out these six mood-boosting foods and recipes from Shape to learn how you can eat your way out of your next emotional slump.

As the days get longer, many of us are feeling even more tired, so we reach for a coffee or energy drink for a quick boost. But a new study warns that your pumpkin spice latte may be backfiring as caffeine inhibits the absorption of several minerals, especially iron. And guess what the primary symptom of low iron is? Yep, fatigue. This isn't to say you can never enjoy your java again, but if you want your comfort food to be comforting in the right way, here are a few pro tricks from Shawn Talbott, PhD, a nutritional biochemist at Harvard and author of The Secret of Vigor — How to Overcome Burnout, Restore Biochemical Balance, and Reclaim Your Natural Energy.

If You're Feeling: Angry

Eat: Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts, contain lignans and healthy fatty acids that together can induce a mild relaxation effect, Talbott explains. Plus, nothing helps take the edge off a hate fest like a satisfying crunch.

Bliss Out On: Walnut and Pesto Linguine

If You're Feeling: Tired

Eat: For days when you need a quick pick-me-up, pop a few tasty grapes. "All types of grapes contain antioxidant compounds called OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), which improve mental and physical energy levels," Talbott says. But if you're having one of thosedays and need a serious boost, he says an even richer source of OPCs is New Zealand pine bark extract and has been studied for improving "brain energy" and ADHD. You can find it in tea or supplement form.

Bliss Out On: Roasted Grapes

If You're Feeling: Stressed

Eat: Time to break out the extra-dark chocolate, doctor's orders! According to Talbott, the good stuff contains theobromine to calm you down and flavonoids to boost your immune system (stress can make you more vulnerable to illness). He even gives the A-OK to skip the 100-percent bitter variety and go for something tasty as a small amount of sugar can help satiate those sweet cravings brought on by the stress hormone, cortisol.

Bliss Out On: Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake With Peanut-Butter Drizzle

If You're Feeling: Sore

Eat: The day after a heavy lifting workout, make sure to add some pineapple to your protein smoothie. The tasty tropical fruit contains the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain to help reduce inflammation and control pain and swelling.

Bliss Out On: Baby Kale Piña Colada Smoothie

If You're Feeling: Anxious

Drink: Just holding a mug of hot green tea can be relaxing, but Talbott explains the drink also contains theanine, an amino acid with proven calming powers.

Bliss Out On: Creamy Green Tea Vegan Ice Cream

If You're Feeling: Sad

Drink: Now's the perfect time to get your Starbucks fix. As the aforementioned study showed, going overboard with the coffee is no bueno, but Talbott says to order a small latte with one shot of espresso and one percent milk. The combination of the stimulating 100 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, plus the relaxing small peptides (protein chains) in the milk, will help to increase neuron activity in the brain, without overstimulation. He promises it will be just enough to help you get out of a sour mood, but not enough to make you feel jittery and tense.

Bliss Out On: Skinny Peppermint Mocha