It’s All About the Dopamine
Eating the wrong foods or not enough food could lead to a reduction in your dopamine levels. And that could result in you feeling tired, unmotivated, and forgetful. On top of that, a lack of dopamine could lead to mood swings and unwanted addictive behaviors. Thankfully, though, there are some pretty easy ways to correct this imbalance and improve your mood while also getting your cravings under control.
Eat Foods That Give You a Dopamine Boost
Eating the right foods could not only nourish your body, but also provide your body with the ability to manage dopamine levels. And when your dopamine levels are higher, you might notice that your cravings are reduced and your mood improves as well. No more hangry feelings!
The great news is that the foods that could boost your dopamine level are also those that are highly recommended for dieters. These foods are low in fat and calories, yet high in vital nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, so you get even more benefits when you eat more of them. A few great examples of dopamine-boosting foods include apples, bananas, almonds, avocados, green tea, fava beans, dark chocolate, lima beans, sea veggies, oatmeal, green leafy veggies, coffee, beets, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, watermelon, and sesame seeds. Yummy!
Get More Exercise
Being more active could be another great way to release feel-good chemicals that will help to elevate your mood and stop those cravings for unhealthy foods. In fact, after you exercise, you might notice that you end up leaning towards eating healthy fruits and veggies or drinking a healthy smoothie rather than indulging in fried and fatty foods. Energy supplements can go a long way toward helping you exercise more.
Set up a consistent workout schedule that will be easy to follow, whether you prefer to work out before work or after you get home in the evening. With consistency, you could lose weight and build strength, as well as keep your mood elevated and keep cravings at bay.
Bottom line: you can quell your cravings by eating the right foods that will nourish you and fill you up, as well as serve to balance your dopamine levels and elevate your mood.