Everyone knows that food affects weight, but many people overlook the fact that it also can impact one’s mood. Foods that are high in sugar can actually make people feel more depressed while healthier foods such as carrots and celery can fill people with energy and strength.

Food can affect your mood because everything you eat has a chemical effect. The food you eat and its contents break down into elements that can either raise your blood sugar or greatly drop it. An example of this is seen in caffeine. More specifically, while a large dose of caffeine may make you feel more energized in the short term, it can make you feel tired and drowsy in the long term, which can add to a depressed and stressed mood.

Many people also turn to food when they are bored, stressed, or upset, a habit frequently referred to as “emotional eating.” Eating your emotions away is never a good thing and will not make you feel better at all. In fact, it can actually add to your depressed state. Nonetheless, people continue to resort to foods high in fats and sugars that have such negative effects on the body.

Instead of turning to unhealthy foods high in sugar and fat you should drink milk or eat dairy products such as low-fat yogurts or cheese, both of which have been proven to reduce physical responses to stress and improve mood.

As you eat healthier, your body does not have to use as much energy to control your blood sugar. It is able to run more efficiently thus making you feel happier because your body is not working nearly as hard to maintain a stable blood sugar.

Also, many people feel happier when they eat healthy because they do not think of gaining weight as a side effect of eating well. Regardless of a food’s sugar or fat content, WebMD.com says, “you can still enjoy your favorite foods; the key is moderation.”

“When I eat healthy food I feel like I am in a better mood because it releases some great chemicals into my brain,” said junior Charles Stayley.

On the contrary, “I consider myself an emotional eater because when I’m in a bad mood sugary foods usually make me feel better, like ice cream when I’m sad,” said senior Nicola Yu.

Some foods that improve mood include vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts, beans, egg whites and whole grains. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar and white flour are all items you should avoid because they negatively impact your mood.

“Food affects me very positively because we are best friends. Food is always there for me through the good and the bad times,” said sophomore Clark Girardin.