8 Foods to Boost Serotonin and Improve Mental Health

“While we generally can’t get serotonin directly from whole-food sources (with a few exceptions), there are a variety of nutrients and plant compounds that can promote our body’s ability to produce serotonin and other mood-boosting neurotransmitters in the brain,” Naidoo says.

A research review from 2016 mentions that serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan. Therefore, eating tryptophan-rich foods may be key to improving your mood and feeling better.

“Aside from boosting serotonin, however, incorporating certain groups of foods into a healthy, balanced diet can drastically improve your mental health,” Naidoo says.

Here are eight types of food that may produce serotonin and could help improve your mental health:

• eggs
• dairy
• tofu
• nuts and seeds
• fermented foods
• spinach
• fruits and vegetables
• turkey

Eggs

“Research [from 2015] found that even small amounts of tryptophan-rich egg protein influenced serotonin levels and significantly improved the moods of female participants aged 45 to 65,” Naidoo says.

For the best nutrient sourcing, Naidoo recommends pastured eggs from cage-free chickens. Consider starting your day with:

• scrambled eggs
• an omelet
• a baked frittata

Dairy

“Foods like cow’s milk, cheeses, or plain yogurt are noted to be naturally rich in the protein alpha-lactalbumin, which was shown in [2005] research to increase blood tryptophan levels and improve sleep quality and mood,” Naidoo says.

Consider trying whole unsweetened Greek yogurt with live cultures to help improve both your gut and mental health. Naidoo suggests adding a handful of wild blueberries for natural sweetness, gut-loving fiber, and mood-boosting antioxidants.

Tofu

If you’re vegetarian or vegan or otherwise don’t eat eggs or dairy, soy products such as tofu are a great protein option.

“Organic non-GMO-sourced tofu is an excellent, versatile protein that’s rich in tryptophan [and] soy isoflavones, which have a demonstrated association with [fewer] symptoms of depression,” Naidoo says.

You might try tryptophan-packed tofu as a substitute for meat-based proteins.

Nuts and seeds

Certain nuts and seeds may help you produce more serotonin.

Naidoo says that eating a handful of walnuts each day has been associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms, according to a 2019 study.

You might consider eating a handful of nuts and seeds as a snack on their own or sprinkling them into a salad or cup of yogurt.

Fermented foods

Fermented foods are rich in important bacteria that nourish your natural gut microbiome and may improve your mental health.

You could try adding any of these fermented foods to your diet:

• kimchi
• miso
• sauerkraut
• unsweetened coconut milk
• cashew milk yogurt

Other prebiotic foods, such as garlic, leeks, and onions, may help too.

Spinach

“Rich in iron and folate, spinach packs a powerful dose of key vitamins and minerals that are absolutely necessary for the production of serotonin in the brain,” Naidoo says.

“In fact, folate deficiency shares a significant association with symptoms of depression, and therapy with folic acid has shown to improve these symptoms.”

Consider tossing spinach into:

• an omelet
• a smoothie
• a salad

Fruits and vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables may help increase serotonin. Some tryptophan-rich fruits and veggies you may want to try are:

• pineapple
• bananas
• kiwis
• plums
• beans

“For an extra veggie punch, pair spinach with sweet potatoes and cherry tomatoes — shown to be among the richest sources of plant serotonin — for a delicious, mood-boosting breakfast hash,” says Naidoo.

Turkey

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, then you may have heard that turkey is high in tryptophan.

Consider sliced turkey on whole-grain bread for an easy sandwich or turkey meatballs instead of beef.

To boost serotonin levels and your mood, consider eating the following foods:

• eggs
• dairy
• tofu
• nuts and seeds
• fermented foods
• spinach
• fruits and vegetables
• turkey

“[Nutritional psychiatry] brings back to the individual the notion that the power to care for your own mental health rests, in large part, in your hands,” says Naidoo. “It’s what’s on your plate and at the tip of your fork.“

The bottom line is that eating nutritious foods may have a positive impact on your mental health — and research can back that up. For instance, research shows that a well-balanced Mediterranean diet may benefit mental well-being.

Changing your diet can feel hard, but healthier eating is possible — even when you’re on a budget.