We've all asked ourselves what we're in the mood to eat. And most of us have experienced feeling like we're not in the best mood and looking for food to help us turn it around. Did it work? For many of us, it worked for a few minutes and then not really after that. This week Jenn walks us through the biological connection between our mood and our food. Giving us the approachable science plus the tangible steps we can take to be our own best pick-me-up. Thank goodness for this episode; because it's more than just feeling hangry!Outline:Welcome back, meet Summer & intro to today's topicUnderstanding the science & biology of our foods' connection to our moodNeurotransmitters, neurotransmitter disruptors/disregulatorsBlood flow to the brain & antioxidantsAlcohol, sleep, stressHelpful supplementation: CoQ10, omega 3s, amino acids, antioxidants, mineralsBDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor)Recent study on connection between lifestyle choices & mental healthSynergy of nutrients: alpha lipoic acid, plant-derived antioxidants, CoQ10, B-vitamins, acetyl L-carnitine, amino acids, omega 3s (Essential Fatty Acids / EFAs)Stress inducing foodsStress mitigating foods  Vagus nerve & toning the vagus nerveThe difference between knowing the things & actually doing themFood is connected to emotions (mood)Physical hunger, mental/emotional hunger, excusesTools to help us understand the difference: tracking, hunger ratings, mood ratings, energy ratings, self-esteem ratingsThe role of a health coachWrap UpTip from Summer: declutter your pantryLinks:Become a MemberConnect with us! FB Page & Private FB Group & Jenn's InstagramTake the free Weight Loss Profile, Jenn will send you a Menu Plan  Quotes:"Antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids—the synergy of nutrients is what supports strength and function of our brain chemistry over time." - Jenn Trepeck"B-Vitamins are of massive importance when it comes to neurotransmitters, cognitive function and mood...stress depletes B-Vitamins." - Jenn Trepeck"Essential Fatty Acids—your body can't make them, you have to take them." - Jenn Trepeck"The Vagus Nerve is the biological connection between our gut and our brain. It's like a 5-lane highway with 4 lanes going gut to brain, 1 lane going brain to gut." - Jenn Trepeck