I will never forget the exact moment that flipped my life around for the better. It was winter of 2022, and I was cramped in my coffin-sized New York apartment, ugly-crying my face off. 

Let me paint the scene: I’d just wolfed down close to $100 of Shake Shack sh**. But not even the ‘Shroom Burger or the Crinkle Cut Cheese Fries could soothe my feelings of utter despair. I just remember sobbing like some feral animal, while wiping my tears with the greasy Shake Shack napkins. (I’ll admit, it was not my finest hour.) 

Why can’t I just get my life together? I thought to myself, as all my anxieties and stressors rose to the surface. Why won’t that one guy — who doesn’t care if I live or die — text me back? Why are all these bills piling up? What am I gonna do about this crippling anxiety of mine?  And, most importantly, how can I stop feeling utterly miserable? 

Desperate, I sought out the advice of my BFF, Google. And what do’ya know? Every article I stumbled upon offered the same piece of wisdom: Stop. Eating. So. Much. Friggin’ Shake Shack. 

Okay, that’s not exactly what the articles said. But these trusted sources did consistently suggest that I quit eating so much processed junk. 

That was the precise point in time when I began to truly analyze my diet. For basically every single meal, I was eating processed food with high fructose corn sugars, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients. Ingredients that are not only bad for my body, but horrible for my mental health. And after doing a crazy amount of research — even reading several awesome books on the subject — I learned the sheer importance of the relationship between the brain and the gut. 

Who knew how much your diet influences your mental state? 

You Are What You Eat — Physically and Mentally

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What many people don’t know, is that you are what you eat. Especially with the dopamine diet. Although when most people hear this, they associate it with physical appearance.

That is: drinking gallons of beer will give you a beer belly. But not enough people apply this to mental health. People who eat junk are likely to feel like junk. But those who opt for healthy, mood-boosting meals are likely to be much peppier, more spritely, and full of energy.

Those who focus on eating wholesome, Paleo, un-processed foods reap all the benefits — and then some. Healthy meal choices are often life-changing because they boost your quality of life like little else can. 

Diets that focus on whole foods not only shrink your waistline, but they’ll improve your overall well-being in more ways than one. By eliminating foods that cause inflammation, and instead consuming meals and snacks that affect the pleasure sectors of your brain, you’ll be left feeling calm yet full of energy. 

Eating Wholesome Meals Is The Ultimate Act Of Self-Care On The Dopamine Diet

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Eliminating processed foods from my diet and replacing all the frozen crap with zestful fruits and colorful vegetables proves how much diet influences your quality of life. Every wholesome meal I prepare is a work of art. Each hearty and nutritious meal leaves me feeling a sense of pride. 

I’m proud of the delicious meal I’ve made, but I’m thrilled to be taking care of myself. Treating my body and mind to high-quality meals feels like an act of self-care. And you know what? It is! 

By choosing foods that target the dopamine sectors of your brain, you’re taking active steps to boost your mood.

Which Foods Suit The Dopamine Diet?

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In this case, you’re gonna wanna focus on foods that are rich in omega-3, magnesium, and tyrosine. 

Best Dopamine Diet Foods to Eat: Salmon, fatty fish, avocadoes, bananas, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, leafy greens, berries, cheeses, meat. But skip the cold cuts — no processed meats allowed!

What Foods To Avoid If You Want To Feel Happier? 

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The dopamine diet advises individuals to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks that are high in added sugars.

Do your best to avoid highly processed foods as well. How do you know if something’s processed? Simply turn the box around and look at the back. If it has a list of calorie counts, sugars, sodium, etc., it’s processed. If it comes in a box that lists all the ingredients on the back, it’s more than likely processed. 

If it seems overwhelming to cut out processed foods entirely, you can start out small. I suggest you start by eliminating foods with added sugars and empty calories. While natural sugars found in fruits are totally fine, it’s the refined sugar that causes inflammation, which leads to poor mood — and weight gain. 

It’s been two years since I started following this diet method, and I will carry this advice with me for the rest of my life. Whenever I’m in a bad spot (but, like, when I’m not in a bad spot?) I feel strength in knowing that there are active steps I continually take to improve my mental state. 

For many, the road to happiness starts in the kitchen.