Feel Good Hormones and Your Diet

Hormones play such a crucial role in our health and wellbeing. 

That includes mental and emotional wellbeing. 

There are some hormones that are referred to as “feel good hormones.”

And your diet can affect those hormones. 

Let’s dive into that. 

What are these feel good hormones? 

Specifically, we’re talking about dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin. 

Dopamine 

Dopamine is otherwise known as the reward hormone. 

It contributes to our feelings of wellbeing and happiness. 

It is a chemical messenger that is released when we experience things that bring us pleasure. 

Which is why we can get addicted to things that make us feel good, such as yummy foods. 

It’s that “ahhh” feeling when you have that piece of chocolate or that first sip of wine. 

Dopamine also helps us in setting goals and staying motivated, important if you’re trying to stick to a weight loss plan.

Endorphins

Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers. 

They act on receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain, and promote feelings of euphoria and pleasure. 

Endorphins contribute to stress reduction and immune system support, and promote survival behaviours, such as eating and drinking. 

Oxytocin 

Oxytocin has been called the “love hormone” because it is linked to forming and maintaining social bonds. 

It promotes feelings of trust and empathy, and helps with emotional regulation. 

Serotonin 

Serotonin is often referred to as a mood booster because of its major role in regulating mood and emotions. 

It also helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle.

These hormones have other functions in the body, as well, but for the purpose of this article, let’s focus on how they can help us in our weight loss journey.

Here’s the thing: your diet can both impact these hormones, and be impacted by them. 

How does what I eat affect my feel good hormones? 

Remember the gut-brain axis (GBA)? The brain can influence the gut, and the gut can, and does, impact the brain. 

Some of these hormones are produced in the gut. 

In fact, serotonin is thought to be about 90% produced in the gut. 

So it should be obvious that anything you eat or drink is going to impact these hormones. 

And it’s kind of like a cycle. 

If you take care of your gut health, these hormones will help you stick to your diet and weight loss goals. 

Here’s some tips for diet and gut health:

Cut out processed foods and refined sugars 

Processed foods have a negative impact on the gut. 

If there’s a long ingredient list with words you can’t pronounce, it’s not good for your gut. 

Avoid refined carbohydrates 

Eating refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and cake gives you a temporary boost from those feel good hormones. 

But then you get into this cycle where you need more and more to keep getting the same effect. 

That’s called a food addiction.

Get your dopamine hit from other things, like exercise, music, or going out into nature. 

Aim for whole foods 

Choose healthy fats and protein, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables that are low on the glycemic index. 

Think nutrient dense. 

What about fasting? How does that impact those feel good hormones?

Fasting has been shown to increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, and can trigger the release of endorphins. 

Keep fasting! 

Please note: Always worth a reminder: if you are experiencing anxiety or depression, please always speak to your doctor or mental health care provider. 

One more reason to keep your gut happy

A happy gut means happy hormones. 

When those hormones are doing their job, you just feel better.

And that’s going to help you with your weight loss and wellbeing.