To ask for your very specific diets / recipes

[HelpMeBeHealthy]

Quite specifically...

I’d love to get recipes from anyone who has started a diet that is based around naturally increasing levels of serotonin.

Very generally on the research I’ve done, I’m thinking turkey for lunch and quinoa vegetarian dinners.

Any help or recipe ideas around that would be very gratefully received!

(Sorry it’s not aibu, trying to cast the net wide to find opinions!)

A large proportion of serotonin in the body is actually in the gut, so look after your gut health. Eat fermented foods, salads/vegetables etc, drink water, cut right back on sugary foods/processed carbs. Basically cook for yourself with unprocessed raw ingredients.

Have a read of The Hacking of the American Mind by Robert Lustig. Basically about how dopamine has become dominant over serotonin in western socs over the past few decades and how it's lead to the malaise, sociological/psychological problems we have. Our lifestyles and entertainments gear us up for short term pleasures... checking for facebook 'likes' and getting the tiny ping of dopamine in the brain, internet gambling, porn, drink, drugs, video games, recreational shopping etc... but have long term costs/downsides.

4 'C's of countering this
Connection - friendships & social interactions in person
Contribute - to something bigger than yourself. Volunteering, helping with community projects, visiting elderly, reading in schools etc.
Cope - get enough sleep (this is vital for your brain to make more serotonin), exercise, wellbeing
Cook (and eat) real food. If it has an ingredients list, then give it a wide berth. Eat food rich in DHA such as fish for brain and cellular health.

Thank-you so much! That is really helpful! 😊