How does food affect your mood?

Why Real Food Changes How You Feel

Have you ever noticed how certain foods leave you feeling energized and clear — while others leave you flat, foggy, or heavy?

That’s not your imagination.

Food doesn’t just provide calories. It delivers information — nutrients, fiber, phytonutrients, and compounds that influence how your cells function, how your nervous system responds, and how your brain regulates mood and energy.

Whole foods — especially those close to their natural state — tend to support the body’s ability to produce steady energy. Highly processed foods, on the other hand, often strain blood sugar regulation, digestion, and inflammation pathways, which can leave you feeling depleted rather than nourished.

It’s not about “good” or “bad” food.
It’s about how supported your system feels after you eat.

Why Greens Matter So Much

Dark leafy greens are some of the most nutrient-dense foods available.

They’re rich in:

• chlorophyll

• minerals like magnesium and iron

• antioxidants and phytonutrients

Chlorophyll plays a role in cellular health and detoxification processes, and its structure is remarkably similar to hemoglobin — which is part of why greens are so supportive for circulation and oxygen delivery.

When you regularly eat greens like kale, broccoli, spinach, and Swiss chard, you’re giving your body raw materials it uses to:

• produce energy

• support detox pathways

• regulate inflammation

• nourish the brain

Think of them as foundational fuel.

Nourishing Foods That Tend to Support Energy & Mood

Rather than focusing on “high vibration,” I now think in terms of high nourishment.

Here are foods that consistently support cellular energy and nervous system balance for many people:

1. Fruits (Especially When Paired With Protein or Fat)

Apples, berries, citrus, bananas, avocado, stone fruits, and tropical fruits provide antioxidants, fiber, and natural carbohydrates that support brain function.

Organic when possible — not perfect.

2. Vegetables (Green and Non-Green)

Color variety matters. Each color provides different phytonutrients that support immune, hormonal, and neurological health.

3. Raw or Minimally Processed Cacao

Real cacao (not candy bars) contains magnesium, iron, and compounds that support mood and circulation. A little goes a long way.

Yes — chocolate can be supportive when it’s actually chocolate.

4. Berries (Including Goji, Blueberries, Cherries)

Rich in antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress — which plays a role in fatigue, mood shifts, and aging.

5. Cultured & Fermented Foods (If Tolerated)

Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi can support gut diversity — which matters because gut health and mood regulation are closely linked.

Not everyone tolerates these well, and that’s okay.

Why Processed Food Often Impacts Mood

Highly processed foods tend to:

• spike and crash blood sugar

• irritate digestion

• increase inflammation

• displace nutrient-dense foods

When this happens consistently, people often notice:

• more anxiety

• poorer sleep

• reduced focus

• lower mood stability

This doesn’t mean food “caused” a mental health condition — but it can meaningfully influence how resilient or depleted the system feels.

In my work, I’ve seen countless clients feel noticeably steadier — emotionally and mentally — within weeks of reducing ultra-processed foods and eating more consistently nourishing meals.

Not cured.
Not fixed.
More supported.

The Takeaway

Food isn’t magic — but it is powerful.

When you eat foods that your body recognizes and can actually use, your system often responds with:

• steadier energy

• clearer thinking

• improved mood

• better sleep

Not because the food is “high frequency,” but because your body finally has what it needs to function without constantly compensating.

You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need rules.

You just need to notice how your body responds — and feed it accordingly.

With steadiness,
Angela 💛