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Fat:

A low-fat diet may make you grumpy. Researchers assessed the moods of a selection of people, before and after eating either a daily total of 41 percent or 25 percent of calories from fat. After a month, the lower-fat eaters were rated as more hostile and depressed. Those on the higher-fat diet exhibited better moods and less tension and anxiety.

Why does this happen? Fat stimulates hormones that influence activity of the brain chemical serotonin, important in governing mood. Low serotonin is linked with increased aggression and depression.

So what do we do? Many experts say it`s not harmful to get your quota of fat if it`s mainly monounsaturated fat (vegetable oils) and not artery-destroying saturated animal fat.

The ever popular Chocolate:

One of the most powerful mood elevators and the most popular `reach out for a high` is chocolate. All or most of us can vouch for the fact that chocolate cravings rise as moods go low. This could be because, chocolate contains not just serotonin-boosting sugar and mind-soothing fat, but also other chemicals that favorably affect brain messengers controlling mood.

GA_googleFillSlot("sitagitarectanglebottom"); So, should you reach for that soothing bar or not? Hobson`s choice!

The sunshine vitamin - vitamin D and food rich in it:
If dim winter sunlight gives you seasonal affective disorder (SAD), getting more vitamin D may boost your mood.The reason could be that Vitamin D, called "the hormone of sunlight," boosts levels of serotonin - a feel-good chemical - in the brain. Vitamin D can be toxic, so don`t overdo it. Rather than reach out for supplements, go for the foods rich in Vitamin D. And they are:Salmon ( Hilsa), milk, cereal ....

Here is another vitamin booster:

B vitamins have profound effects on the brain. Research shows correcting a deficiency of the B vitamin folic acid can relieve depression. In thiamine-deficient women, moods can be improved after three months of supplementing with Vitamin B.
Thiamine boosts moods even in women not lacking thiamine. Foods high in B vitamins: dried beans, whole grains, fish, dairy products, poultry, eggs, bananas, avocados.

So, when you feel low, run to the `fridge by all means. Don`t just binge on all that you see. Choose wisely.