10 Vegetarian Friendly Foods To Boost Your Mood

When you hear the term ‘vegetarian friendly’ the next word to pop in your head isn’t usually ‘tasty!’. But it can be! Being a vegetarian can sometimes limit you in sources of protein and foods that boost your mood. And you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these tasty snacks and meals.

With that being said, there are tons of great foods that are chock full of the key things we need to stabilize our metabolisms and boost our happiness. If you’re ever feeling down or particularly low on energy one day, try one of these awesome vegetarian friendly foods to boost your mood and see what a difference it can make.

1.       Dark, Dark Chocolate

Like anyone really needs a reason to eat chocolate. But now you don’t have to feel guilty about it, at least. Chocolate is actually quite good for you when eaten in responsible amounts. Dark chocolate, which is anything above 65% cocoa, is full of fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants. Now, tell me how it’s bad for you? Remember, this is pure dark chocolate, not the processed milk stuff that’s coated in candy and sugar.

2.       Eggs, Eggs, Eggs!

Take a look at any worthy diet plan, a good one that promotes healthy eating. What’s something they all have in common? Eggs! But why are they so good for you? What benefits do they offer? Well, they’re a prime source of the lovely “good fats” that our body’s need to grow and thrive. Also, the fatty acids contained in an egg help your body to produce serotonin which in itself is literally the things that makes you feel happy. So next time you reach for a bagel, go for an egg instead.

3.       Almonds, In Any Way

So the mineral called magnesium is something that is used to fight things like anxiety and depression. It stimulates the things in your body that boost your mood and level out your emotions. And where’s a good source of magnesium, you ask? Well, almonds!

Have a small dish sitting on the counter for you to snack on all day.

4.       Lentils

Don’t roll your eyes. Yes, lentils don’t sound that appetizing, but there’s tons of ways to work it into your meals and make them taste delicious. And it’s worth it, trust me. Lentils are full of folic acid, 80% of your daily recommended amount, actually, in just one cup. Folic acid promotes healthy teeth, bones, muscles, and can boost your mood. It’s crucial to our growth, which is why doctors tell pregnant women to take it.

READ Are Superfoods Really "Super"?

5.       Yummy Pumpkin Seeds

So, we’ve already discussed how folic acid, fatty acids, and magnesium are key ingredients to a better you, but we’ve yet to mention zinc. It’s one mineral that is used in combination with others to fight depression so it can definitely help boost your mood on a regular day. And pumpkin seeds area major source of zinc.

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6.       Oaty Oatmeal

Goldilocks and those three bears knew where it was at. Oatmeal has so many health benefits that it should be sold in health food stores in vitamin form. It’s full of magnesium and fiber which are two key things to boosting your mood and keeping healthy. It’s also great for lowering cholesterol, a big plus. And if you toss in some dark chocolate shavings a a few almonds, and pair it with a side of eggs,  you’ve got yourself one heck of a mood boosting breakfast.

      7.       Natural Honey

If you go to a farmer’s market you should be able to find the pure, unprocessed honey straight from the farm. But store bought natural honey will do, too. It’s full of vitamins and minerals and can brighten your darkest day. Plus, it makes everything taste good! Swap out the sugar in your coffee and/or tea for a spoonful of honey any day. You can even drizzle it over a bowl of delicious oatmeal.

       8. Cashews

Did you know that cashews are actually referred to as a natural anti-depressant? Crazy to think that a handful of nuts can do so much. But they really can! They contain healthy doses of niacin and tryptophan, two key ingredients to fighting depression. A half cup of cashews is all you need for the entire day. Now, they are high in fats, the good fats though, so they wouldn’t be great if you’re trying to lose weight. Regardless, in small doses, they’re still better than ice cream or junk food that’s full of saturated fats.

      9. Berries

Any kind of colorful berry such as blueberries, raspberries, black berries, and strawberries are so full of goodness you wouldn’t even believe it if I told you. But I’m gonna! Berries are a major source of prime anti-oxidants and help keep your body strong and healthy. They’re known to fight depression and nourish your mind.

READ Health Benefits of Blueberries

     10. Mushrooms

Yes, I know. They’re gross. But mushrooms are critical to a healthy body. They work with insulin to level out your blood sugar levels and balance out your mood. They are also considered a probiotic, of sorts. The fungi promote good and healthy gut bacteria which, in turn, stimulates the serotonin levels in our bodies. Pretty amazing for a simple fungus, right?

And there you have it, folks. These 10 amazing vegetarian friendly foods to boost your mood can be eaten as is or thrown into an endless array of delicious meals. There’s really no excuse to not be eating some of these on a daily basis. So the next time you’re feeling down or have super low levels of energy, don’t turn to medication or other stimulants. Instead, take a look at what’s in your kitchen, or head out for a trip to the grocery store.