5 Mood-Boosting Recipes to Get You Through the Winter

1801 - Mood Food Gallery - Tuna, Avocado, and Pickled Onion Sandwich

Photo: Greg DuPree

Brighten up dark days and light up your palate with these zingy, happy recipes packed full of feel-good ingredients.

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Can food truly help your mood? Absolutely. It turns out more than 90% of the feel-good hormone serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. So fueling the nerve cells and “good” bacteria that line your gut doesn’t just play a role in your physical health but also your mental health.

New Year. New Food. Healthy eating starts here with the Cooking Light Diet.

Plus, research suggests that people with so-called healthy diets are less likely to be depressed. In a review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found that people who ate a lot of fruits, veggies, fish, and whole grains significantly cut their odds of depression.

And other research shows that people who eat a Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of developing depression versus folks who eat a typical “Western” diet. So go on: Get ahead of the winter blues and load up on healthy food. What’s good for the body is good for the mind.

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Grapefruit, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad

Photo: Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Grapefruit, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad

Pucker, punch, and crunch abound in this gorgeous salad. Grapefruit and green apple are high in vitamin C, which lowers stress-inducing cortisol.

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Thai Green Chicken Soup

Photo: Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Thai Green Chicken Soup

A great chicken soup is a cure-all for the winter blues. Lime and cilantro add welcome zing; fresh ginger contributes warmth.

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Citrus-Pickled Shrimp with Fennel and Potatoes

Photo: Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Citrus-Pickled Shrimp with Fennel and Potatoes

Has wintry comfort food bored your taste buds? Wake them up with this tangy dish. The refreshing scent of citrus could also lift your spirits.

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Beet, Carrot, and Pistachio Salad

Photo: Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Beet, Carrot, and Pistachio Salad

Eat more produce; you'll feel better. We stick to in-season root vegetables and spruce them up with plenty of fresh dill.

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Tuna, Avocado, and Pickled Onion Sandwich

Photo: Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Tuna, Avocado, and Pickled Onion Sandwich

Eating omega-3-rich fish like tuna and salmon may help lower your risk of depression. Canned (packed in water, not oil) is just as beneficial as fresh.

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