The best foods for a happier mind

WHEN life feels heavy, our first instinct is often to reach for comfort food: a tub of ice cream, a quick chocolate bar, or a steaming pizza.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

But what if I told you that what you eat every day could be one of your most powerful tools to manage stress, lift your spirits, and even ease anxiety?

Emerging research shows that our brains and bellies are deeply connected, a link scientists now call the gut-brain axis. In simple terms: your food choices feed your feelings.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, multiple studies now confirm that eating well isn’t just good for our waistlines, but it’s one of the simplest tools we have for better mental health.

What foods help the most and why?

Here’s what research, nutritionists and wellness experts say about what to put on your plate when your mood needs a lift.

1. Food for when you're feeling stressed:

Reach for berries, leafy greens and nuts

When stress hits, many of us crave sugar or salty snacks. But swopping those for berries, almonds, or a few squares of dark chocolate can help your body fight stress at the source. Chronic stress messes with our bodies and minds, but food can help buffer its effects.

The team at CHAMP (the University of Uniformed Services’ Consortium for Health and Military Performance) recommends loading up on antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, grapes and green tea to fight oxidative stress.