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Peninsula Kids
Home»Health»Good mood food
Health

Good mood food

4 Mins Read
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To Help The Whole Family Beat The Winter Blues

By Gabrielle Newman
Gabrielle Newman is the Nutritionist and Recipe Developer for The Fast 800. She has shared her expertise on the food that will put you in a good mood and give you the best chance at beating the ‘winter blues’, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Yes, it’s a thing!

This winter we’re beginning to prepare for a double whammy; experts are warning about yet another coronavirus surge and the regular old flu, and maybe if you’re really unlucky, Flurona. When you’re stuck inside because of the weather, less sunshine hours or cooped up in isolation, it’s not unusual for serotonin (the happy hormone) levels to drop in your body. Bolstering your immune system through what you eat is important, but did you know what you put in your belly can also affect your mood and help the whole family beat the winter blues?

When you’re stressed, upset or unwell, it’s easy to reach for comfort food. The foods that make you feel safe and secure like mashed potato swimming in butter and salt, or nana’s self-saucing chocolate pudding. Sugar-laden and processed treats should be avoided if you want to remove mood-altering foods from your diet.

Studies have estimated that 90% of your happy hormone comes from the gut; so the happier the gut, the more emotionally equipped you are to handle life’s stressors. When you’re feeling more positive, you’ll tend to sleep better at night, which also means you’ll be giving your body a better chance at losing excess weight and bolstering your immune system.

Eat like the Mediterraneans

A diet rich in fresh, colourful fruit and vegetables, fish, seafood, nuts, legumes, whole grains and foods that you often find are commonly eaten on the low-carb Mediterranean diet provide your body with lots of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Olive oil, an important staple of the Mediterranean style, can help reduce inflammation. Add more olive oil to your diet by using extra virgin olive oil as a base for salad dressings or to sauté a selection of rainbow vegetables.

Studies revealed that those who stick to a Mediterranean-style diet are 33% less likely to develop depression. It’s also been proven effective for weight loss!

Eat prebiotic foods

Prebiotic foods are rich in fibre and act like fertiliser for the gut and help encourage the growth of good gut bacteria. There are a diverse range of fruit and vegetables considered to be prebiotics, and you may not even realise they’re part of your diet: garlic, onions, asparagus, leeks and flaxseed are good sources of prebiotics.

Add more probiotic foods

Many people don’t eat enough probiotic foods to create good gut bacteria. People often spend big on probiotics supplements and overlook cheaper, more readily available and affordable foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and miso which are all great sources of probiotics. You could try a warming miso soup or use kefir to make homemade ice-cream.

Reduce your sugar intake

We know there’s nothing like a chocolate bunny (or three!) at Easter time, but it’s important to be mindful with your sugar intake as it will affect your gut microbiome, immunity and mood – and why destroy all the hard work you’ve been putting in? You’re also more likely to snack on sugary treats if you’re not eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet. When you’re working from home, isolating, or stuck inside due to the winter weather, pure boredom can drive you to raid the pantry.

The Fast 800 has an amazing range of recipes that don’t use refined sugar, yet make you feel like you’re not missing out on the sweet stuff. Try the Chocolate Beetroot Brownies or the Peach and Passionfruit Ricotta Cheesecakes.


Gabrielle Newman is the Nutritionist and Recipe Developer for The Fast 800, an online programme devoted to helping people live healthier, better-quality lives by offering healthy recipes, meal plans, organisational resources and a science-based framework for a healthy lifestyle.

For more healthy lifestyle tips and recipes, head to: thefast800.com

Peninsula Kids – Winter 2022

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If this is your first experience of winter with a baby you might be wondering what you need to do to protect them from the elements. Babywearing is a wonderful start as you each warm the other. You can top that up with hats, mittens and booties but go easy with coats and suits. Rather than thick single garments, add an extra layer or two. Avoid bulky hoods which can restrict free head movement. Keep in mind, as you rug them up, that your body is a wonderful heat bank for your child. Light layers plus protection for the head, hands and feet is the way to go. You can pop “baby legs” leg warmers on to keep exposed legs warmer.

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If this is your first experience of winter with a baby you might be wondering what you need to do to protect them from the elements. Babywearing is a wonderful start as you each warm the other. You can top that up with hats, mittens and booties but go easy with coats and suits. Rather than thick single garments, add an extra layer or two. Avoid bulky hoods which can restrict free head movement. Keep in mind, as you rug them up, that your body is a wonderful heat bank for your child. Light layers plus protection for the head, hands and feet is the way to go. You can pop “baby legs” leg warmers on to keep exposed legs warmer. Read more here: https://peninsulakids.com.au/baby-its-cold-outside/ Or via link to mag in bio. #babyitscoldoutside @peninsulakidsmagazine #lovepeninsulakids
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Betrayal and revenge come knocking on The Family Next Door this August!

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👀😮 Ooooh..this looks gooooood. Has anyone read the book? Betrayal and revenge come knocking on The Family Next Door this August! The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are pleased to announce the thrilling six-part suburban mystery drama series The Family Next Door will premiere on Sunday 10 August at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. It’s peak holiday season in the popular seaside town of Osprey Point when an enigmatic stranger, Isabelle (Palmer) rents a family home in a quiet cul-de-sac. As Isabelle charms her way into her neighbours’ homes and lives, she quickly discovers that everyone at Pleasant Court has something to hide. How far will her obsessive drive to solve a mystery push her to expose the truth? Based on New York Times bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same name, this sophisticated and entertaining mystery blends drama and humour while exploring family dynamics through the unique lens of award-winning screenwriter Sarah Scheller (Strife, The Letdown) and Emma Freeman’s (The Newsreader, Interview with the Vampire) character-driven directorial skills. #abciview #sallyhepworth #thefamilynextdoor
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Bring the kids to experience live theatre at Frankston Arts Centre in August!

An instant Australian classic, Beetle by Legs On The Wall tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle.

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Bring the kids to experience live theatre at Frankston Arts Centre in August! An instant Australian classic, Beetle by Legs On The Wall tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle. The magic of the bush habitat is brought to life through Legs On The Wall’s trademark physical storytelling, and animation created from original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. A tale of resilience and hope, Beetle reminds young audiences that there’s an important place in the world for all of us. Reminding us of the delicate balance of the natural world and that all things are connected. This charming, nostalgic and uniquely Australian show invites children and families to join the adventure, encountering larger than life beetles, stick insects, and other bush critters while finding out about the uncanny nature and delicate balance of the bush environment. See it on Friday 22 August at 11am or 6pm at Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060. #whatson #fac #kidstheatre #frankstonartscentre #beetlebylegsonthewall @the_fac
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Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales. EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons. Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business. There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business. The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists. #epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
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Elmo’s Circus Dream, a dazzling new live stage spectacular making its world premiere at Caulfield Racecourse these upcoming July School Holidays from June 27th to August 3rd, 2025.

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Elmo’s Circus Dream, a dazzling new live stage spectacular making its world premiere at Caulfield Racecourse these upcoming July School Holidays from June 27th to August 3rd, 2025. Tickets and information: https://www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au/ #sesamestreetcircus @sesamestreetcircus @cavanaghpr
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❄️ Winter is here! And along with it, a fresh edition on Peninsula Kids magazine. Enjoy flipping through the pages that celebrate the season’s highlights so that you can make the most of the frostier months with your loved ones. 🥰 🌬️ Link to read in bio ———————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #winter #lovepeninsulakids #mpgrown #local #pregnnacyandbaby #creative #education #health #spotlight #recipes
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