Nourish your mood and achieve success

Throughout your life, you will probably experience many life-changing events and make-or-break opportunities. Preparing for these properly can help ensure your success. The food you eat can help influence your mood, prepare your body and put you in the right frame of mind. Here are seven foods to help you achieve success

EVENT: JOB INTERVIEW

WHAT TO EAT: SOYBEANS.

If you've got a big job interview coming up, it's easy for nerves to get the better of you. Fortunately, researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada have found that foods containing tryptophan (an essential amino acid) can give you that confidence boost you need to help things go well.

Although there are many good sources of tryptophan, such as chicken and salmon, tryptophan-rich roasted soybeans or edamame beans are useful pre-interview snacks.

EVENT: TRYING FOR A BABY

WHAT TO EAT: OYSTERS

If you want to increase your chances of conception, your diet can make all the difference. Oysters are famous aphrodisiacs because of their high quantities of zinc, which can stimulate the libido and enhance desire.

However, not only can zinc put you in the mood, it is also essential for the fertility of both genders. For women, zinc can prove vital for healthy ovulation and steady egg production; in men, zinc helps maintain healthy testosterone levels and is essential for healthy sperm production.

EVENT: RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN

WHAT TO EAT: OILY FISH

The breakdown of a relationship can lead to feelings of depression and negativity that can be hard to shake off. Though these feelings are unavoidable and will take time to get over, to help get through this difficult time, try to up your intake of oily fish such as wild salmon and tuna. These are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, both of which can help to regulate mood and ward off depression.

EVENT: EXAM

WHAT TO EAT: BREAKFAST CEREAL

In the lead-up to exams, try eating a healthy diet packed with whole grains to help boost your brain. Wholegrain breakfast cereals are good sources of energy to help keep you alert and focused. They are also rich sources of folate, which can help speed up information processing and memory recall.

Although not technically a food, chewing gum, popped in your mouth prior to an exam, has been shown to improve test scores and improve memory by 35 per cent.

EVENT: MAKING BIG DECISIONS

WHAT TO EAT: YOGHURT

If you've got a big decision to make, whether for your career, relationship, health or finances, try to increase your mental clarity and focus to help you make the right decision.

Try snacking on yoghurt, which is rich in iodine and zinc, and can help boost mental clarity and brain function. Researchers at Toronto University also found that the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus casei in some yoghurts can decrease anxiety, helping to put you in a calmer frame of mind for decision-making.

EVENT: HEATED ARGUMENT

WHAT TO EAT: WALNUTS

Although most of the time disagreements can be resolved, serious or frequent arguments can damage relationships and affect your happiness.

Rather than living to regret words said in the heat of the moment, try to defuse an argument by controlling your anger. Research has shown that Omega-3 deficiency can contribute to aggressive behaviour, while a Japanese study has suggested that zinc may ease anger in women. To up your intake of both these nutrients, try snacking on walnuts when you feel your blood start to boil or to help you calm down before discussing a problem.

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