Tip #1. Good Mood Breakfast
Numerous studies showed that there’s a connection between carbohydrates intake and serotonin (mood-boosting brain chemical) production, which means that eating foods high in carbohydrates like breads, cereal, pasta, raises the level of serotonin in the brain. When serotonin levels rise, we feel a calming effect and become less anxcious. However, a study conducted at the Clinical Research Center revealed that the brain makes serotonin only after a person consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates, but these carbohydrates must not be eaten in combination with protein.
The findings by University of Cambridge scientists shows that serotonin helps the brain regions involved in self-control do their job. They also suggested that changing the diet can significantly can help the serotonin levels to fluctuate naturally. A number of experiments showed that aggression and frustration levels were higher in people who skipped breakfast.
Here are a few breakfast recipes to make your day.
Here is a very comforting recipe of Cardamom Rice Pudding that you can cook for breakfast.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 3 cups vanilla soy milk or just skim milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 cardamom pods
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
Method
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Bring the water to a boil in a medium sized ovenproof saucepan. Add the rice, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until rice i cooked al-dente (not quite soft yet). In a large bowl, whisk the soymilk or milk, sugar, and salt. When the rice is cooked add the soymilk mixture and cardamom pods. Cover and place in the oven for 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven, uncover, and remove the ccardamom pods. Stir in the vanilla, ground cardamom and nutmeg. Pudding will be slightly liquidy but it will thicken as the pudding cools down. Distribute among 8 bowls, drizzle each with 1 teaspoon of the honey. Serve warm or at room temperature.
I usually add some chopped dried apricots to the bowls when I serve the pudding. It smells so nice and can really brighten your morning.
Tags: carbohydrate breakfast for depression