Happy Hump Day: Foods That Can Help You Smile Your Way Through The Mid-Week Blues

When it's the middle of the week you don't have to get the mid-week blues because these foods are bound to put a smile on your face.  Incorporate calcium into your diet, for starters, along with folate and iron; these are just a few of the things that you need in order to boost your spirits.

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Mashed potatoes contain chromium, which increases levels of serotonin (which in turn regulates mood). We may have been under the impression that mashed potatoes put a smile on our faces because they're comfort food, but there's more to it than that.

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Almonds have magnesium, which also increases levels of serotonin. 

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For dinner, make our Atlantic salmon recipe — it's sure to perk you up. Studies have shown that foods full of Omega-3 fatty acids, like chia seeds, Chinese broccoli, and Atlantic salmon, can reduce your risk of depression.  

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Vitamin B6 helps regulate our brain function, which also influences our emotions and mood. Add more vitamin B6 to your diet with this recipe. 

Bring on the vitamins: vitamin B12 is essential in your happiness. Fatigue and paranoia are associated with low levels of this vitamin, so keep your spirits up with a dish that is packed with it.

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Take a few minutes to have some eggs — it'll make your day go a lot smoother in the long run. Eggs, along with such other foods as swordfish and chanterelle mushrooms, contain vitamin D, which helps ward off depression.

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When you're feeling blue during the day, take a little break and have a snack. Try our roasted pumpkin seeds; along with such foods as cashews and Swiss cheese, pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which can help you balance your mood.

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Walnuts and flax are packed with alpha-linolenic acid, which can help you stay happy. According to research by the Nurses' Health Study, women who have increased levels of alpha-linolenic acid are less likely to become depressed. Try our walnut-squash crostini to steer clear of depression. 

Chocolate is the best thing ever, right? Why wouldn't it be on the list for mood-boosting foods? Not only does chocolate taste delicious, but it contains polyphenols, which have mood boosting effects.

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Apricots have the antioxidants beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, all linked to better moods.