When life isn't going your way, your body or mind can suffer, and it's important to be kind to yourself. "Dietary healing" is crucial. A recent article in the American magazine "Women's Health" lists 12 superfoods that can improve mood, health, physique, and even sexual quality of life.
1. When stressed: 1 cup of low-fat yogurt or 2 tablespoons of mixed nuts.
Yogurt is one of the best food sources of lysine, and nuts are rich in arginine. Lysine and arginine can reduce your worries.
What not to drink: Carbonated drinks. A study published in the "American Journal of Public Health" found that drinking 2.5 cans of soda daily can triple the risk of depression and anxiety.
2. When feeling sad: Spinach salad.
Green leafy vegetables like beets and spinach are rich in B vitamins, which are beneficial for the production of "feel-good hormones" like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. What not to eat: White chocolate. White chocolate is not true chocolate and contains no solid cocoa powder. It cannot stimulate the production of "feel-good hormones" like dark chocolate.
3. When overweight: Grilled chicken breast.
Lean poultry protein provides energy and boosts metabolism, satisfying cravings while aiding weight loss. A high-protein diet also helps build muscle and reduce belly fat. What not to eat: Thick soups and salty snacks. Salty food makes you drink more water, causing your stomach to become a "water balloon." Therefore, salty foods like salted nuts and chips should be avoided.
4. When lacking energy: Trail mix.
The potassium in raisins helps the body convert sugar into energy. Nuts are rich in magnesium, which is crucial for metabolism, nerve function, and muscle function. What not to drink: Strong coffee drinks. Although caffeine has a stimulating effect, the large amount of sugar in coffee can raise blood sugar levels, which is unhealthy.
5. When needing to boost brainpower: Blueberries.
The various antioxidants in blueberries help protect the brain from free radical damage, thereby reducing the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. What not to eat: Ice cream. Sweet foods can cause sharp fluctuations in blood glucose levels, leading to a lack of concentration.
6. When needing more sleep: Fat-free popcorn.
Eating a bag of fat-free popcorn half an hour before bed helps the body produce serotonin, a neurochemical that induces relaxation. What not to drink: A glass of warm milk. This insomnia remedy is actually incorrect. The protein in milk increases alertness. The fat in milk also slows down digestion, leading to fragmented sleep.
7. When needing to stay alert: Eggs + whole wheat bread.
Eggs are a great source of protein; eating them for breakfast keeps you energetic all day. Researchers at Saint Louis University found that people who eat eggs for breakfast consume 264 fewer calories daily compared to those who eat cream cheese for breakfast. What not to eat: Cookies + cream cheese. This breakfast contains 500 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 60 grams of carbohydrates.
8. After drinking alcohol: Orange juice.
The fructose in orange juice speeds up alcohol metabolism by 25%. The vitamin C in it also helps prevent cell damage after drinking. What not to drink: Carbonated drinks. Carbon dioxide can make the feeling of being drunk worse.
9. When feeling unwell: Ginseng tea (can be served hot or cold).
A Canadian study found that taking 400 mg of ginseng daily reduces the chance of catching a cold by 25%. Ginseng helps increase key immune cells in the body, which kill invading viruses. What not to drink: Caffeinated beverages. Excessive caffeine can disrupt sleep and suppress the immune system, making you more susceptible to colds, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses.
10. When needing to boost libido: Dark chocolate.
The cocoa powder in chocolate contains stimulants like methylxanthines that can increase body sensitivity. Chocolate also contains "natural aphrodisiacs" like phenylethylamine. An Italian study found that women who regularly eat chocolate have a stronger sex drive. It's best to choose chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content. What not to drink: A bottle of wine. One or two glasses of wine can enhance libido, but excessive wine can suppress the nervous system, leading to erectile dysfunction in men.
11. When trying to conceive: Brazil nuts.
Rich in the mineral selenium. Selenium can improve sperm quality and make them swim faster. What not to eat: French fries. Compared to women who do not consume trans fats, women who get 2% of their calories from trans fatty acids have a 70% higher chance of infertility.
12. When wanting to stay young: Sunflower seeds.
Sunflower seeds are the "king of vitamin E" in the food world, best at fighting free radicals and preventing wrinkles and aging. What not to eat: Cream cake. The trans fatty acids in cream cakes are enemies of health and can accelerate the body's aging process.