The mood swingers

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: also a good idea to stock up on oats, brown rice and whole-wheat products,” adds Sammadar. They have a low glycaemic index and get digested slowly — a sure shot way of avoiding mood swings.

Depression is also a common problem that strict dieters suffer from. Deprivation feeds cravings and, more often than not, leads to overindulgence at the first given instance. Ever felt the craving for carbohydrates? Well, it was actually a subconscious attempt by your mind to raise serotonin levels. So, watch out for your mood swings. More often than not they point to nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivity and low blood sugar. “The more fruits and vegetables you have, the happier you will feel. They are rich in essential good mood nutrients. Good types of fat also elevate mood — consider fish, flax seed, walnuts, all of them rich in omega-3 fatty acids,” adds Anwar.

The mood lifters

Water A lot of studies have linked depression with dehydration because 85% of brain tissue is made up of water.

Banana is potassium-rich. It controls blood pressure and depression.

Spinach A great source of folic acid, which may reduce the high levels of homocysteine associated with depression.

Whole grain foods like bajra, jowar, oats, and also whole grain legumes like rajma, soyabean help maintain a steady supply of glucose to the brain that will help to release the body’s feel-good chemicals.

Fish & poultry Iron deficiency causes symptoms like irritability, fatigue and depression. So, have chicken, fish, rice flakes, and soyabean.

Nuts are packed with vitamins and minerals that are involved in the production of serotonin, which helps regulate mood and relieve stress.

Too much of salt, meat, cheese or eggs can make you feel aggressive and competitive. These do more harm than good.