Blog Post

Happiness is a bite away

Our Lady of Greens • Mar 20, 2024

Happiness can be a tricky state to achieve and yet simple things like the aroma of baked bread or freshly brewed coffee can make us feel instantly happy. What is it about food that can trigger positive emotions and enhance our mood? We look into the internal and external factors connected to food that contribute to our happiness.

If happiness was a meal, the list of ingredients would vary for each of us. There is no established formula. People feel happy in very different circumstances. However, we all seem to agree that the sense of contentment that we call happiness is a result of both internal and external factors.

 

Food is an intricate part of our lives. The way we eat affects every layer of our being from the very superficial to the deepest. It’s not surprising that anyone who is worried about their general wellbeing and mental health will, sooner or later, have to address their eating habits.

 

The biological aspects of happiness

 

Understanding how our body works can provide insights into what types of food make us feel good and why. Let’s start by explaining the difference between hormones and neurotransmitters. They are both chemicals, but while hormones are produced in the endocrine glands and are released into the blood stream, neurotransmitters transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the nervous system.

 

Both hormones and neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including our mood, and can be affected by our diet.

 

A healthy and happy diet

 

Certain foods can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins in the brain, which are associated with feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being.

 

🤣 Consuming carbohydrates can lead to an increase in serotonin levels, promoting feelings of relaxation and happiness.


🤣 Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are high in folate and tryptophan, which are important for serotonin production.


🤣 Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, and flaxseed are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important part in the structure and function of cell membranes.

 

🤣 Dark chocolate contains substances that promote the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain.


Equally, hormones such as oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," are associated with social bonding, trust, and feelings of happiness. While cortisol, the stress hormone, can have a negative impact on mood and well-being when present in excessive levels.

 

🤣 Foods high in protein can provide the amino acids needed to synthesis oxytocin in the body.

 

🤣 Magnesium is also involved in the synthesis and release of oxytocin. Consume magnesium rich foods such as leafy greens, nuts and seeds, whole grains, legumes and dark chocolate would also help.

 

🤣 Consuming unprocessed food such as fruit, vegetables, whole grain would help keep your cortisone levels low.


Happiness and brain interactions

 

As well as chemicals, happiness involves complex interactions among different brain regions. In particular, those occurring in the brain's limbic system, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. All of these areas play a crucial role in processing emotions, forming memories, and regulating mood.

 

The olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, is closely linked to the brain's limbic system. That’s the reason why we feel happy and comforted when we smell certain food’s aromas. It’s also the reason why food smells can stimulate our appetite and make us enjoy our food.


Grow your own food

 

Happiness is also hugely influenced by external factors as well as internal. The way we source our ingredients can also contribute to our general mood and happiness. Consuming sustainably produced food will not only reduce our ecological footprint but will also have a positive effect on our wellbeing.

 

A great way to eat sustainably is by growing your own food . Whether you do it as part of a community, or at home, growing your own vegetables and herbs has numerous positives.

 

🥕Homegrown food contains higher nutrients and is free from harmful pesticides and chemicals.

🥕It will give you a huge sense of empowerment and achievement as you will be able to choose what you want to eat and follow the whole process from field to folk.

🥕Spending time tending to plants, and witnessing the growth and development of your own food can foster a deeper connection to nature. Connection with nature has been linked to reduced stress, improved mood, and increased feelings of well-being.

🥕 Engaging in gardening activities can be meditative and calming, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation, leading to lowering cortisol levels and alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.


Whether the pursuit of happiness should be the main purpose of our lives can be debatable. What we can all agree with is that being able to feel happy is necessary for all of us. Through history there has been many definitions of happiness. One of the most famous ones was by Mahatma Gandhi who said "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." May your food thoughts, words and actions be in harmony.


Fermented foods can help your gut
by Our Lady of Greens 25 Apr, 2024
Fermented foods have become extremely popular with a significant number of options currently available to consumers. Words like kombucha, kefir or kimchi are now part of our day-to-day culinary dictionary. We look into why fermented foods are good for you, what are the best options, and how much you should be having.
How to make sure our pets aren't eating the Earth
by Our Lady of Greens 28 Feb, 2024
The mental and physical benefits of having a pet in our lives are many. We love our pets and our pets love us. But, have you ever considered what your pet’s paw print looks like? Dogs and cats carbon paw prints are mainly associated with their diet. Let’s see how we can feed our furry companions without costing us the Earth.
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we eat and our general behaviour about food.
by Our Lady of Greens 24 Jan, 2024
We have heard ad nauseam the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the last years. However, most people still find it difficult to understand what it means and the impact that can have on their life. AI technology can help you improve your diet, reduce food waste, and save energy. Therefore creating a waste-free, efficient and healthy food lifestyle. 🤖 Smart kitchen appliances like fridges, ovens or coffee brewing machines can reduce power usage, save time and improve users’ food experience. 🤖 Smart kitchen gadgets like fridge cameras or ethylene gas removers offer easy and cheaper access to AI technology. 🤖 Mobile applications with AI components can give personal recommendations on nutrition as well as make your shopping list!
How to feel strong and satiated on a meat free diet
by Our Lady of Greens 06 Dec, 2023
Only two days into this month’s COP28 meeting in Dubai, 130 countries -including the US, China, the EU and the UK- have signed the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action. Introducing supportive policies to favour healthy and sustainable foods, as well as encouraging a plant-based diet will be necessary in order to keep the 1.5-degree goal. However, a meat-free diet might feel like an upheaval for some. Let’s look at how to reduce meat consumption and still be satiated and feel “strong to the finich”.
Water is essential for our food system
by Our Lady of Greens 18 Oct, 2023
Even though water covers about 71% of the Earth’s surface, only 2.5% of that amount is fresh, suitable for drinking and agriculture.  Water is key to the food industry. Agriculture accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, and we need water to make food. "Water is life, water is food” is this year’s World Food Day slogan. There are many ways in which we can reduce the water we consume in our kitchens as well as avoid water contamination. From the diet we eat, to how we cook to how we clean and dispose of our food leftovers.
Health and environmental risks of Ultra Processed Food
by Our Lady of Greens 31 Aug, 2023
Unless you grow your own food, everything you eat has been processed to a lesser or greater extent. There is a strong correlation between how much processed food you eat, and how good it is for your health and the environment. But, is it necessary and possible to have a 100% unprocessed diet?
There is a close relation between sustainability and wellbeing
by Our Lady of Greens 07 Jun, 2023
We can take care of our well-being and at the same time do what’s right for our beautiful planet Earth. In fact, if we think about it, most of the sustainable behaviours that we can adopt on a daily basis will have a positive impact on our physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health.
Boil down your energy bill. Reduce food related energy usage.
by Our Lady of Greens 22 Mar, 2023
Did you know that 4% of the UK average household’s energy bill is spent on powering kitchen appliances? With energy bills rocketing over the last year and the prevision that the situation will continue until 2024, boiling down your bill by reducing food-related energy usage can make a real difference.
Veganuary offers you plenty of delicious recipes to enjoy
by Our Lady of Greens 11 Jan, 2023
The beginning of the year always comes full of opportunities to set up positive intentions for the following 12 months. Exercising more and eating healthier take the first spaces at the front of the country’s list, with Veganuary increasingly becoming a popular New Year’s Resolution in the UK. Whether you stick to January or continue with a vegan diet afterwards, these are some tips to make the most out of your Veganuary experience.
In the UK alone, food waste goes up by 30% at Christmas.
by Our Lady of Greens 08 Dec, 2022
In the UK alone, food waste goes up by 30% at Christmas, amounting to a total of 42 million dishes of Christmas food going straight to the bin. Making your home a zero-food waste one this December is possible. Keep reading.
Show More
Share by: