3 Simple Eating Habits to Increase Motivation, Energy, and Mood

Applying these rules can improve your well-being and quality of life

Many people believe our happiness comes more from the inside than the outside. But at the same time, it’s all about our thinking process influencing our mood.

Independent studies confirm that our condition largely depends on our body’s biochemical and hormonal state.

As a person who looks for ways to improve mood, efficiency, and productivity, I’ve decided to dive deep into this topic and find reasons for bad feelings and ways to fix this problem.

Serotonin and Dopamine

These two hormones are the main gates to the answer we have. Let me explain in two words what each of them is responsible for:

• Serotonin — is a hormone that supports our happiness and energy levels and maintains calm
• Dopamine — is a hormone that promotes our motivational and drive systems

So, our inner state largely depends on these two things. How we behave with others, how effectively we perform our work, and how we enjoy life depend on these two substances.

I start this article with these explanations because further explanations about food will contain the names of these hormones. Some foods increase their amount, and some, on the contrary, decrease them.

Food that Increases Motivation, Energy, and Mood

Each of us has heard the following phrase at least one time during our life:

You are what you eat

I’ve just now given more meaning to this phrase. Your meal is at least 80% of your behaviors, feelings, and moods.

So, what do we have to eat to get all of these? First, add as much protein (and fat) foods to your diet as possible.

You may start eating the following products:

• Fish
• Meat
• Nuts
• Eggs

Why do we need to eat more protein and fat foods? The main reason is because they increase the serotonin level in your body.

If you have anxiety, depression, and other bad feelings, try to add to your menu these products.

Even if you start eating nuts instead of other unhealthy snacks, it will improve your mood and inner state.

Now let’s talk about products we should eat less.

Food that Decreases Motivation, Energy, and Mood

As we have food that makes us feel better, there is food that makes us feel bad, unfortunately.

And the worst thing is that all we love this food and eat daily will make it difficult for someone to quit it.

But trust me, as soon as you start eating less of these products, your life will be better, and as I said, your actions, motivation, and mood will improve.

1. Avoid Eating Sugar

The #1 food you should avoid in your meal is sugar. The main reason to avoid it is because it ruins our dopamine system.

Have you ever felt a lack of energy and desire to do anything after eating cake or drinking a cup of Coca-Cola?

Usually, we feel energy after eating sugar. But 20–30 minutes after this, we think a high decrease in the power and desire to work.

Besides energy and motivation, I’ve found that sugar makes us feel anxiety and sometimes even depression. Let me explain.

When you are happy, how can you describe yourself?

• You are full of energy
• You are ready to act
• You are kind
• You are smiling

When you are feeling sad, how can you describe yourself?

• You don’t have any energy
• You don’t want to do anything
• You are angry
• You don’t smile

Do you see? Our energy level and motivation system control our inner feelings like happiness or sadness. If you feel energy, you will feel better; without power, you will feel worse.

2. Avoid Eating Carbs

Another food you need to eat less is carbs, especially bread. Yes, as I said, some food we like the most makes us feel worse and unhappy.

Unfortunately, it’s true that if we want to feel better, we should eat less food we like the most.

So, what’s wrong with carbs? First of all, most of them turn into sugar inside of us. As we discussed previously, sugar isn’t a food we want.

Also, carbs don’t give many vitamins and minerals; instead, they block the absorption of many essential nutrients and also spoil the following organs:

• Intestines (gluten from bread)
• Liver (sugar, potatoes)
• Brain (carbohydrates that turn into sugar)

Cereals and porridges are also not sacred; they may contain valuable elements, but at the same time, they also turn into sugar, are poorly digestible, and interfere with the absorption of essential microelements in the body.

So, it’s your decision what to eat, but if you want a healthy body, you should avoid these products.

What Should I Eat?

As we discussed, the best way to start is to avoid food that makes you feel bad. Start with decreasing sugar and carbs in your diet.

Then, you can add protein and fat, including products like fish, meat, nuts, and eggs. These products are suitable for both your body and brain.

And one more important thing you should add to your diet is vegetables. Vegetables contain essential minerals and vitamins, and also fiber.

Vegetables and greens are foods that will make you healthy and give you high energy.

So, these vegetables with proteins will improve you. Give yourself some time for experiments.

What About Fruits?

Of course, it’s better to eat fruits than cakes and bakery. But you should be careful.

First, remember that “too sweet” fruits (like bananas and apples) contain many sugars. That’s why it’s better not to overeat them.

It’s okay to eat several fruits during the day. Also, eating berries and sour fruits gives you healthier vitamins, minerals, and very few sugars.

Try to focus on berries and sour fruits. But always eat in moderation.

Summary

From my experience, as soon as you stop eating sugar, you will feel ten times better! It’s true, mainly if you previously overcooked sugar.

But there is one crucial moment: it will be difficult at first time to avoid sugar. I tried to stop eating this immediately, but I wanted to eat something sweet. Unfortunately, we are addicted to sugar.

So, try taking small steps and eating less sugar, sweets, and candies daily. Make some buffer time to allow you to consume less sugar daily.

And, also try to eat less carbs. Carbs are better than sugar but not as good as other products discussed in this article.

Find healthy and suitable products for your body and brain; they will allow you to do the following things:

• Feel better
• Act better
• Think better

If you want it, start with what you eat and then move forward!