Biting off a piece of a delicious chocolate bar, you understand that life is a lot better… But after 5 minutes, a feeling of guilt arises, 20 minutes later you may start feeling unpleasant from heaviness in the stomach. After a couple of days, you say “Hi!” to acne on the skin and an extra centimetre at the waist.

Of course, it’s always great to snack on something tasty to cheer up, but this need can be met with healthy foods.

Here are 5 healthy “antidepressants” options that make you happier and calmer, not for a few moments, but for several days, without raising your insulin levels to alpine heights and disrupting your balanced diet.

Bulgarian Red Pepper and Chili Peppers Reduce Your Anxiety

We are used to the fact that the lack of vitamin C can always be filled by eating grapefruit, papaya, oranges. Pepper is something unexpected. No matter what the exact type of pepper is, chilli or Bulgarian, your body will be satisfied with the amount of ascorbic acid. 100 g of bell pepper contains 84 mg of vitamin C, while a 150-gram orange has only 80 mg of the same vitamin. Why is vitamin C so important for a good mood? It reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

Dates will replace chocolates and cheer you up

When you feel sad, your favourite ratio on the plate should be tryptophan + leucine + phenylalanine. Do not be afraid of unusual, complex syllables; you will find all three amino acids in dates, bananas or papaya. A dessert with such sweets will raise the level of the hormone of good mood – serotonin by one or two times, and the chocolate variety of dates will perfectly replace cravings for sweets and chocolate bars.

Green tea will calm you down

Order a pot of green tea instead of a cup of coffee in a restaurant! Its quality varieties are rich in L-theanine, which has a calming effect and improves memory, mental focus and brain function in general.

Salmon relieves you of stress

Fish consumption will make you resistant to stress; it is especially effective in dispelling melancholy in men, endowing their blood with folic acid. Salmon contains Omega-3, which ensures the absence of long-term stress. Vitamin B12, on the other hand, eliminates the feeling of depression in women.

Berries will make you happier and smarter

Blueberries are my favourites for a good mood. Rich in antioxidants, they help you absorb new information faster and remember it longer. It’s good if berries will be on your table several times a week. All this forms a solid intellectual foundation and helps get rid of unnecessary thoughts and irrational worry.