May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the team at Frisco Fresh Market is ready to show you how different foods can bring on a better mood all year long.
Our outdoor market in Frisco offers copious amounts of produce and treats that give your brain the positive boost it needs.
Here’s a closer look at how you feel about what you eat!
Healthy Foods Are the Building Blocks of a Stable Mood
What you eat actually has a large impact on your mood. While sugary and overly-processed foods may give you a boost of dopamine, those “feel good” emotions will quickly crash. This leaves you craving more and repeating an endless cycle of unhealthy eating.
However, fresh, healthier foods create good bacteria in your gut that maintain positive neurotransmitter production. When your brain receives a steady supply of neurotransmitters, it naturally feels great and improves your mood.
When bad bacteria from junk foods invades your GI tract, neurotransmitters are in low supply. When your neurotransmitter supply is low, so is your mood.
Which Foods Are Best for Your Mental Health?
So, you know how foods can impact your mood, but which fruits and vegetables should you eat? Let’s show you what you should put in your basket the next time you visit our farmers market.
Kale
Kale is a dark, leafy green that is packed to the brim with vitamin C, vitamin K, and beta-carotene. Eating kale leads to the development of a healthy brain and an ample supply of antioxidants that decrease anxiety.
Avocado
Vitamin B is a surprising stress reliever. It actually creates the neurotransmitters that improve our moods.
One of the best sources of vitamin B6 is the green and tasty avocado. Aside from being a mood booster, avocados help prevent stroke. So, that hefty bowl of guacamole you’re prepping can make you feel good and lead a mentally healthier life.
Mushrooms
Vitamin D boosts your serotonin levels. One of the best foods you can eat to boost vitamin D is mushrooms. They are a prime source of vitamin D and are the only non-animal food that provides it in moderation.
Blueberries
Antioxidants are excellent for strengthening the brain’s cells. In fact, two servings of blueberries and strawberries a week can lead to improved memory. Who knew that one of your favorite snacking foods could stave off memory loss?
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi are easy to find at a farmers market. These foods are delicious, but they are also loaded with probiotics. Probiotics provide your gut with the good bacteria it needs to send positive messages to your brain, which improves your mood.
Find Food that Makes You Happier at Frisco Fresh Market
Frisco Fresh Market is now open for our spring and summer seasons! Join us in the warmer weather and enjoy local offerings from farmers and small businesses that help keep Frisco thriving. Contact us today to learn more about our upcoming events.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor this season, we can also help you start your application process.