Here is the truth: everything you eat has a direct effect on your mood.   

Throughout the last couple of decades, scientists are documenting the importance of gut health, discovering that it plays a role in everything from sleep to mood, psychological health and even anxiety levels.  The gut is currently being referred to as the human body's second mind, with investigators finding that the condition of our gut plays a key role in chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and melancholy as well as anxiety. The trillions of tiny microbiome that live in each of us and on us affect our physical health. I'm sure you know from your own experience that eating junk food or processed food can create energy drops and have an impact on how well you function/feel in the day.

This is one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about eating well and this usually involves helping individuals to consume a balanced, wholefood diet or lifestyle shift. It's important to find what works for you and understand what has a positive impact.

To re-evaluate your good gut bacteria, you need to include a variety of nourishing foods in your food plan. Concentrate on the vital macronutrients by ingesting high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, plenty of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids.

These foods are satiating and help to balance blood sugar levels, which promotes steady moods throughout the day.

Here are my 15 favourite feel-good foods that form the cornerstone of my diet and have helped me to set the balance in my body.

My favourite feel-good foods include:

1. Avocado - it can be diced into a salad, slices, or made into guac
2. Homemade granola
3. Olive oil
4. Nuts, seeds
5. Nut butters - my favourite at the moment is crunchy almond butter
6. Tahini
7. Hummus - I'm still working on making my own...
8. Fruit - the bigger the variety the better. I love pomelo, mango, bananas... the list can go on!
9. Good-quality proteins
10. Oats - I'm a porridge nerd and like my porridge made a certain way
11. Oily fish
12. Chia seeds
13. Flaxseed - I add this into my breakfast oats, smoothies and sometimes soups
14. Dark chocolate
15. Coconut-based products - yoghurt, milk, water!