Check these five healthy foods high in calories

I guess you already have whole-grain bread, fruits, and vegetables on your grocery shopping list. There are, however, some healthy foods high in calories, which you might skip as fattening or unhealthy, although they are surprisingly good for your brain and mood. Let’s check them here.

 

1. Eggs – Healthy foods with high calories

Eggs are a good example of healthy foods with high calories. They are the nutritional power balls containing vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

B12 is crucial for nerve cells: A deficiency causes irritability, depression, and cognitive decline. Vitamin D is hard to find in nonfortified foods. Studies have increasingly linked low levels of vitamin D to depression, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and PMS,

The eggs also contain little folate to keep our brain’s neurotransmitter factories humming and some Iodine, which is essential for proper thyroid function. You probably already know that underactive thyroid leads to lethargy, weight gain, and depression.

 

2. Butter – In case you don’t suffer from high cholesterol 

Butter is fatty-yes- but it has a long list of nutrients that are not found in most vegetable oils, including vitamins A, D, and B12.

Vitamin A promotes the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine which are critical players in mood and memory.

Butter from grass-fed cows is even healthier. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which cool inflammation and promote the growth of new brain connections. It also delivers higher levels of a special fat called conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA. This CLA increases blood flow to the brain, extends the life of brain cells, and counteracts the effects of the stress hormone cortisol. The more fresh grass a cow eats, its milk and butter are more nutritious.

3. Salmon, mackarel, tuna, and other fatty fishes, including Omega-3

The densest source of omega-3 fatty acids is cold-water fatty fish. Omega fatty acids prevent, among other things, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. They are important in treating high blood pressure, relieving low-grade inflammation, and lowering total cholesterol.  They influence overall brain health and function and may even benefit human intelligence. In one study the pregnant women who eat more omega-3s had children with higher IQs.

The lack of Omega 3 fatty acids can cause several problems like skin symptoms, decreased eyesight, and problems in the nervous system.

 

4. Coffee – It gives you mental and physical superpowers

Too much coffee can be harmful, but a few cups daily are good. Caffeine causes an increase in dopamine, which boosts your confidence, focus, and mood. Coffee gives you a great boost before mental or physical exercise.

In addition to its stimulating properties, a cup of coffee has more antioxidants than a glass of grape juice or a serving of spinach.

Coffee also contains two phytonutrients, norharman, and harman, which function as a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors.  People who drink a few cups of coffee daily have a decreased risk of brain disorders such as depression and dementia.

 

5. Walnuts – Extremely healthy foods high in calories 

Walnuts are a great example of healthy food high in calories. One walnut has the natural power to grow into a huge tree. Nuts contain a wealth of trace minerals, macronutrients, and vitamins. (magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, calcium, omega-3s, vitamin E, folate, and other B vitamins) The walnuts are like multivitamins designed by nature.

 

Next time you make your grocery shopping list, do not only choose low-fat foods and foods with fiber. Pick also some healthy food high in calories. Read also our article Food for Mood.