Our morale tends to be faltering at the start of the year.
It’s cold and wet, night falls quickly, it’s back to work… Our morale tends to be low at the start of the year, the post-holiday period. Fortunately, certain foods can help us feel better and happier because they are particularly rich in dopamine, a small molecule produced in the brain that plays an essential role in our motivation, energy, well-being and mood. These foods can easily be eaten as part of a complete and balanced breakfast.
First of all, you need to add a protein-rich food to your breakfast:they play a crucial role in brain health, because they are involved in the production of neurotransmitters, species of “chemical messengers” that facilitate communication between brain cells“, explains dietitian and author Lauren Manaker, interviewed in the American media Eating Well. Interesting sources of protein for breakfast are mainly a portion of fresh cheese such as Cottage cheese or Carré Frais©, an egg or an oily fish (a slice of smoked salmon, a portion of mackerel…) which has the added advantage of providing vitamins B and D, essential for mood regulation and overall mental function.
Then, we favor foods rich in tyrosine, an amino acid which allows the production of dopamine. This is, for example, the avocado that can be spread on a slice of wholemeal or rye bread. Finally, we will opt for foods rich in antioxidants because they support brain health and maintain optimal psychological balance. This is the case for nuts, pistachios, sesame seeds or almonds that you can sprinkle on your toast (no more than a portion of 30 g per day).
We don’t neglect hydration: drinks like green tea (no matter which one) also contain amino acids such as l-theanine which increases the amount of dopamine and glutamic acid which restores and preserves the nervous system.
Health
