People often eat fast food and other unhealthy meals because it gives them a positive feeling. It's difficult to deny that a greasy cheeseburger or thick slice of cheesecake hits a spot that few other foods can.

But, it's also common knowledge that eating a large amount of these foods can have a detrimental effect on your health. So, why do people eat them in the first place? Simple: to chase that previously mentioned high that it gives them.

The good news is that unhealthy food is not the only way to boost your mood. There are plenty of foods that serve as natural mood enhancers that you can consume in order to have a better day and lifestyle.

Continue reading to learn more about these foods and how they can positively impact you.

1. Coconut

Unlike most other foods, the way coconut affects your mood is slightly different. It's actually the pleasant aroma that influences your mood, and not so much the taste.

When you expose your body to something that smells sweet and soothing like a coconut does, it can help lower your heart rate and make you feel more complacent with whatever task you're doing.

Coconut can also be shredded and added to other foods, such as oatmeal.

2. High-Carb Meals

There are plenty of diets and meal plans out there that shun carbs and say that you should consume a minimal amount of them each day.

But, having a rigid restriction on carbohydrate consumption can result in a poor mood, irritability, and even minor anxiety.

Along with proteins and fats, carbohydrates are one of the main macronutrients that your body needs. Carbohydrates from sources like whole grains and green vegetables can help boost your energy levels.

3. Chocolate

Chocolate is a food that many people can't help but love. In fact, it's very easy to love it a little bit too much. Because of its high-calorie content, you should only consume chocolate in small portions.

Specifically, dark chocolate is the type that benefits you the most. The antioxidants that are present in the food can help boost your mood and keep you focused.

If you find yourself having a craving for sweets, a little bit of dark chocolate should more than satisfy it.

4. Saffron

Saffron isn't something that many people think of consuming. Some people might not even know what it is.

But, saffron can have a great place in your diet if you find yourself in need of a natural mood enhancer. According to recent scientific studies, saffron has been found as an effective form of treatment for mild depression.

Because saffron is an additive, you can add it to a variety of meals. These can include soup, rice, and even cake.

5. Eggs

Eggs are down for being one of the best, most well-rounded foods that you can eat. They have plenty of amino acids, and they are also very easy for your body to absorb without being hard on digestion.

Their high protein content will also leave you feeling fuller for longer, which can be very helpful if you're trying to lose weight.

You can also cook eggs in a variety of different ways. You can fry them, scramble them, or even boil them and save them for later.

6. Fish

Like eggs, fish are a great source of multiple nutrients. They have plenty of omega-3 fatty acids that can be difficult to find in other meals. This substance specifically can help improve brain function and also improve your mood.

Because of how powerful omega-3 fatty acids are, fish are one of the best natural mood enhancers that you can find. There's also a large variety of fish to choose from, so you can find the one that tastes best to you.

If the taste of the fish is no concern, however, the best fish to choose for health purposes are salmon, tuna, and trout - wild, and sustainably caught.

7. Kale

Kale is commonly referred to as a "superfood." It has a very high magnesium concentration, which is a substance that drastically helps improve depression in those who have it.

It also has plenty of vitamin C, vitamin D, and iron. Because kale is so dense with nutrients, eating it every day can drastically improve your mood over a long period time.

Plus, it's very easy to make a salad with, so you can add other foods to help enhance the taste and make it easier to consume.

8. Almonds

While they may not have omega-3 acids like fish do, almonds have plenty of other healthy fats. Similar to kale, almonds are very dense when it comes to their nutrient concentration.

This allows you to get a lot of benefit from a very small serving. You can also consume almonds in the form of almond butter, which is one of the tastiest natural mood enhancers available. 

If you are looking for a satisfying evening snack that is nutrition and can fill the void - try some almond butter on celery sticks.

9. Blueberries

If almonds and fish are the kings of healthy fats, blueberries are the king of antioxidants. These nutrients can drastically help improve your mood because of their positive effect on brain function.

Blueberries are also one of the best sources of fibre that you have access to. It's recommended to eat one cup a day, but it doesn't matter how you do it. As such, blueberry smoothies are a very popular option.

10. Coffee

Coffee is one of the most peculiar natural mood enhancers that you can consume.

There have been claims that coffee causes serious health problems, that it raises awareness and comprehension, and also claims that it doesn't do anything at all.

Regardless of what long-winded articles say about what coffee can or cannot do, the proof is in the science. As you can assume, coffee's main benefit to your mood is the caffeine that it contains.

Not only does it elevate your mood, it also helps you concentrate and be more productive. This increased productivity serves as an indirect benefit to your mood, as well.

Natural Mood Enhancers Don't Have to Be Unhealthy

We can't deny that unhealthy foods give us a rush of good feelings. But, these foods aren't the only ones that can benefit our mood.

Food is more powerful than many people think. To learn more about which foods are best for your brain (and which ones to avoid), check out my blog.

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Let me know which natural mood enhances work for you.