It’s normal for collegiettes to experience a plethora of emotions, and sometimes even feel like an emotional trainwreck. Victim to our various emotions, we crave comforting foods that we think will suppress our emotions. However, contrary to common belief, the Freez and Domino’s do not actually make our feelings disappear. But don’t worry, there is a cure to our emotions and it is, in fact, called food! Use this guide to decode your emotions and follow what to eat to successfully boost your mood!
In a slump
What your feeling: Everyone’s boring, no party or social event is of interest and the only thing holding your attention is binge watching Netflix in bed. Not even your ever-present “fear of missing out” is getting you out of your room.What you’re craving: Chocolate and sweets.What you need: A high carb snack. Carbs curb your sugar cravings, which simply perks you up.Healthy options: A piece of whole wheat bread with some honey. Still want to stay in? Try binging on some air-popped popcorn with light butter while watching your favorite show.
Sleepy
What your feeling: Your eyes feel like they have weights on them, you’re forgetful about your plans and responsibilities, and you’re in no mood to tolerate anyone with high energy.What you’re craving: Caffeine. Too much caffeine consumption throughout the day, however, leaves you lying in bed at night, rolling around, preventing you from getting comfortable and falling asleep – a cruel, vicious cycle it is!What you need: Dark chocolate and fruit. Dark chocolate contains throbromine, a stimulant similar to that of caffeine. Fruit contains natural sugar that moves and digests slowly throughout your body. This prevents a caffeine crash and keeps you high in energy throw-out the day.Healthy options: Apples, bananas, and avocados are particularly high in fructose sugar. Wash down your fruity breakfast with some hot (dark) chocolate, or get creative and melt chocolate over your fruit.
Sad
What your feeling: Whether you’re down on yourself because you got into a fight with your best friend, or because your crush hasn’t texted you after a fun weekend, being sad is one of the worst feelings. All you want to do is snuggle up under your covers and watch sappy movies that give you a reason to bawl your eyes out.What you’re craving: Carbs. Pizza, french fries, and grilled cheese seem like the only possibilities to mend your heart.What you need: Leafy greens, vegetables, protein, and citrus fruits.Healthy options: Put together a colorful salad. Decorate your greens with grilled chicken, chopped oranges, and add lemon citrus dressing.
Foggy
What your feeling: It’s been a long week, you’re mentally and physically exhausted, and you just can’t seem to generate the energy to focus on getting the 100 things on your “To Do List” done. On top of that, your heavy eyes and steady dizzies are no help to your lethargic feel.What you’re craving: Sugar and fast carbs. Nothing seems better than starting a productive day with a bagel.What you need: Omega-3 fats: Fish. Fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, sardines, herring, and anchovies, improve communication between brain cells and rear your lazy mood.Healthy options: Sounds like a good day for lunch at Sushihana! Some salmon sashimi is a delicious, low-calorie option to increase your mood and jump-start productivity.
Stressed/Anxious
What your feeling: Three exams and a paper all in the same week! Can’t your professors talk to each other and plan accordingly? The amount of time you’re spending in the library is unfathomable, but you’re still worrying that you should be doing more.What you’re craving: Comfort foods, a.k.a. carbs, carbs, carbs!What you need: Berries, protein, and fish limit stress hormone (cortisol and adrenaline) production and essentially calm you down.Healthy options: Blueberries, bananas, and nuts all significantly decrease cortisol and blood pressure levels. In addition to being great snacks to munch on while studying, combine these three together in a delicious smoothie or in your cereal to start your day off stress-free! Fatty-acid fish, such as salmon and trout, boost happy-hormone (serotonin) levels while also decreasing cortisol production. A fish meal for lunch and/or dinner is a great way to maintain tranquility throughout the day.
Irritable/Angry
What your feeling: Everything everyone is doing/saying is irking you exceptionally. These people must be trying to annoy you because they are doing so, tremendously. Your aggravation level just keeps rising and you find yourself to be angered with the world.What you’re craving: Tough/crunchy foods such as meat, chips, or crackers.What you need: Complex carbs (whole grains) paired with “calming” ingredients.Healthy options: Start your day peacefully and cut up some berries to mix into your oatmeal or yogurt. For lunch or dinner, try brown rice with beans.
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