When I feel down in the dumps, I literally crave chocolate. Maybe you do too. Whether it’s an off day or a super stressful week, there’s something about dark chocolate, in particular, that just calms me right down.
So, what’s going on here?
Does chocolate actually help us feel better? How?
Well, we’ve got all the details below, as well as countless reasons why you should definitely consider making this chocolate peanut butter oatmeal recipe when you’re feeling a little blue. So, let’s get to it.
If you’re a fan of Reese’s chocolate peanut butter cups, you’ll love this recipe! In other good news, it’s a little bit better than those store-bought peanut butter cups. Packed with protein and healthy ingredients, these overnight oats will add a little sweetness to your day.
This is also a great recipe to make ahead of time for an easy and zero-decision morning. All you’ll need to do is grab it from the fridge and go. So, here’s how you can make it!
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The morning can pose a stressful time when many of us are scrambling to get ready, eat, and get to work.
Many times, our breakfast is the first thing to go when time runs tight. However, it doesn’t have to! With this recipe, you’ll have a meal ready to eat.
This actually reduces stress all on its own by dampening the early cortisol awakening response and ensuring you aren’t late for any important meeting.
But how else can this recipe improve your mental wellness?
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Research shows how dark chocolate actually has prebiotic effects on the gut microbiome. In turn, this can have a positive effect on your mood via the brain-gut axis.
If you haven’t heard about the brain-gut axis, here’s a quick run-down:
But this isn’t where the buck stops with dark chocolate. This delicious and creamy food also may lower stress. In fact, craving chocolate when stressed actually makes a ton of sense!
Dark chocolate has magnesium, which is depleted when stressed. It also is packed with antioxidants, which can also help manage the adverse effects of stress.
So, if you’re craving it, maybe you need it! Remember, portion size is everything. A small bit here and there is okay. But too much of anything becomes problematic in terms of health and wellness.
Oats are a wonderfully easy-to-digest source of protein.
It’s essential that we have protein in this meal since peanut butter can offer tons of sugar. Our body often quickly absorbs this type of sugar, unless protein or fat is present. Protein and fat slow down digestion, helping regulate blood sugar levels.
In turn, this can help regulate your mood by preventing any energy crashes later on. But there’s more!
Protein contains amino acids, which are the ingredients needed to make a variety of important neurotransmitters that help regulate our mood and cognitive function.
Peanut butter lovers, rejoice; It actually can help enhance our mood!
Peanut butter contains the amino acid tryptophan, which contributes to the production of serotonin. While eating too much peanut butter can drive up the fat in your diet, small amounts (like what’s in this recipe!) might just lift your mood.
One banana also contains a small amount of tryptophan. While not super significant, every little bit counts. Plus, bananas have B6 and potassium, which play a role in energy and mood.
It’s also thought bananas may help improve digestion, which can enhance the brain-gut axis! It’s no secret that when we have indigestion or stomach upset, bananas are recommended to eat for quick energy and easy digestion.
Alternatively, you could also make this recipe for a quick snack or lunch, especially if you don’t love sweet food first thing.
Try it out, and let us know what you think in the comments below.
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