Happy #Seafood Sunday, Seafoodies!
Isn’t life great when you can get a good night’s sleep? But when our sleep cycle gets out of sync, we can feel restless and moody. If the recent switch to Daylight Savings Time has you feeling a bit “off,” you’re not alone! Good news … the nutrients in seafood can help restore your body’s natural rhythms.
Seafood varieties such as salmon, tuna and halibut are excellent sources of vitamin B-6. This is the micronutrient your body needs to synthesize two important mood-altering hormones: melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin helps you get a night of restful, restorative sleep, and serotonin—the “happy hormone”—helps you relax and stay positive. Production of these hormones gets out of whack when we make a rapid change to our body clock (hello, jet lag!), even if it’s just a 1-hour time shift. Whenever we spring forward (or fall back), it’s extra-important to practice some self-care. Try eating some seafood and see if your happy comes back!
Since we take our eating cues from daylight, it’s also important to reset our hunger clock. By choosing nourishing foods with plenty of protein, we’re less likely to overeat during time changes, even when our body is telling us to go into full-on buffet mode! High-protein seafood is a natural mood-booster, so it makes the perfect go-to food when your sleep schedule is off, or any time you need to recharge.
And, adults aren’t the only ones affected by Daylight Savings. Kids and babies also feel the impacts of changes in time. In addition to protein and vitamin B-6, salmon and tuna are also great sources of essential omega-3s, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can help babies sleep. One study has shown that babies sleep better when their breastfeeding moms regularly consume DHA-rich seafood. And once babies are eating solid foods, you can give them—and kids of all ages—a healthy dose of DHA by offering bite-sized pieces of fish. You know what they say: Sleeping baby, happy mom!
Here are some mouthwatering seafood recipes designed to improve your sleep and elevate your mood!
Cilantro-Lime Grilled Tuna with Avocado-Cucumber Salsa
Sweet dreams are made of tender ahi tuna steaks that are quick-marinated, char-grilled and topped with a quac-salsa hybrid. A half-avocado per serving provides an extra dose of mood-boosting omega-3s.
Serve this easy shrimp ceviche recipe as an appetizer or a light lunch entree. It’s the perfect dish if you’re needing a quick mood improvement and don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Grilled Halibut with Cumin and Lime
This Southwest-inspired dish will put a smile on your face! Plate the fish with a fresh garden salad and some quinoa for a satisfying, fiber-rich meal.
Cuban Grilled Salmon with Tomato-Avocado Salsa
Take a relaxing trip to the tropics with this spicy, citrusy salmon topped with jalapeño-laced salsa. Serve with baked plantains for some island flair.
Broiled Salmon with Molasses Glaze
Simple, smoky-sweet glazed salmon is destined to become one of your regular happy meals! It’s a foolproof (and delicious) dish to enjoy before winding down for the evening.
This is one of those happy-go-lucky dishes you’ve been dreaming of! With some tomato sauce, sauteed aromatic vegetables and freshly grated cheese, humble canned tuna achieves star status in less than 30 minutes.
Feeling crabby? The selenium in crab is a natural mood-booster! And one bite of these extra-crispy, succulent crab cakes is sure to make you smile.
Only four ingredients are needed to create this savory, super-simple salmon dish! With some brown rice pilaf and sauteed green beans, you have a sure-fire recipe for happiness (and sound sleep).
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