5 Foods that Will Make You Happier

Unless you're Popeye, spinach probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of "happy foods." There are plenty of people who enjoy munching these leafy greens, but most of us would rather devour an ice cream sundae or a slice of chocolate cake than order up a spinach salad to boost our moods. However, unlike the temporary pleasure that comes from decedent desserts, spinach actually contains compounds that actively work to keep your brain happy.

Spinach and other leafy greens, such as kale, are high in folate, the natural form of folic acid found in food. Folate is a natural B-vitamin that helps the brain create serotonin, a neurotransmitter closely liked to happiness. There have been numerous studies linking low folate and serotonin levels to depression, and evidence strongly suggests that these chemicals play a pivotal role in mental health [source: Men's Health, Bouchez]. Spinach may not spontaneously transform you into a muscled hero like Popeye, but it will help you maintain a positive outlook and a happy attitude.

Spinach is extremely easy to incorporate into your diet -- it can be used in place of lettuce in a salad and can make a tasty, healthy addition to just about any food, including hamburgers and eggs. Many people believe the tastes of spinach and onions complement each other, so try adding spinach to any dish that contains onions.

If you're down in the dumps and looking for a quick pick-me-up, try eating a couple Brazil nuts. They're a great source of selenium, which, aside from helping ward off depression and maintain a good mood, is also thought to help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. Although scientists still aren't exactly sure how selenium effects our mood, it's clear this little mineral plays a significant role in our mental happiness and well-being [source: Men's Health].

Our bodies and minds need selenium, but if you get too much of it, this helpful mineral can quickly become a toxic substance [source: See, et al]. Selenium is rarely fatal, but Brazil nuts contain more selenium than any other food -- just six nuts contain 100 percent of the recommended daily selenium intake -- so eat these mood-enhancing treats in moderation [source: Men's Health].

Brazil nuts are easy to incorporate into your diet. They have a taste similar to almonds, so they're a great salad or dessert topper, but they can also be eaten by themselves.

You may think of turkey as just a Thanksgiving dish -- it's something we eat once a year that many of us associate with family, friends and football. However, turkey is a nutritious, affordable food that can help keep us happy year-round.

Turkey contains high amounts of phenylalanine, an essential amino acid the brain uses to create dopamine, a neurotransmitter that activates several of the mind's pleasure centers. Dopamine can almost immediately elevate your mood, but it also helps prevent depression and can even increase motivation [source: Men's Health]. Phenylalanine is so powerful, in fact, that research has found it to be as effective in combating depression as some prescription drugs [source: Men's Health].

As anyone who's ever been stuck eating Thanksgiving leftovers can tell you, turkey is an amazingly adaptable meat. It's great by itself or in sandwiches, salads or stews. And you don't have to buy an entire bird to enjoy turkey's benefits. You'll find many different turkey products at your local supermarket -- it comes ground or in packages of legs, thighs and breasts, so it's easy to incorporate into your diet.

It's common knowledge that fish is low in calories and saturated fats, but eating fish isn't just good for your health -- it can also help you kick that persistent, depressive funk. Oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, trout, tuna and eel, are fish that typically live near the surface of the sea. They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a crucial role in brain function, and have numerous mood-boosting benefits. In fact, one study found that daily doses of the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish were more effective at reducing typical depression symptoms, including sadness, insomnia, pessimism, lack of motivation and low libido, than many prescription antidepressants [source: Lawson].

However, oily fish aren't always straight swimmers, at least as far as your health is concerned -- they're often contaminated with environmental pollutants. Additionally, most oily fish are extremely high in mercury, which can be especially harmful to unborn children. In fact, the British government advises women of child-bearing age not to consume more than two servings of oily fish per week. However, oily fish are still important for developing infants in the womb -- the same governing body also stresses the importance of expectant mothers consuming fish several times a month [source: Food Standards Agency].

Oily fish can be baked, grilled or fried, and they can be eaten solo or served in salads or sandwiches.

Anyone who's ever gorged on a box of Valentine's sweets by their lonesome or eaten a candy bar to make themselves feel better knew this one was coming. Chocolate is beloved across the world for its sweet, rich taste, and it can often help perk up your mood. But, believe it or not, the pleasure you receive from eating chocolate may have more to do with narcotics than the high you may get from consuming a sweet dessert.

Chocolate contains unique fatty acids called cannabinoids, which are also found in marijuana, or cannabis. Cannabinoids affect the parts of the brain responsible for memory and movement and can cause a person to feel extremely relaxed. But don't worry, the Feds aren't likely to issue a crackdown on chocolate bars anytime soon. Although chocolate contains these chemicals, they're found in only trace amounts.

You probably know a variety of ways to add chocolate to your diet, but you can't just eat any old candy bar and instantly find yourself in a better mood. The more natural the chocolate, the better its pick-me-up potential, so try nibbling on a few pieces of sweetened, dark, all-natural chocolate -- just a few ounces should boost your mood without increasing your waistline.

For more information on foods that can make you happier, check out the links on the following page.