The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, EnergizedBody

The media could not be loaded.  “What if you discovered that the best place to begin your personal pursuit of happiness is at the end of your fork? Emerging research from the fields of neuroscience and nutrition shows that by changing what you eat, you can improve your mental and emotional well-being. You can stabilize your moods. You can improve your focus. You can even make your brain grow.So what do we mean by happiness? There have been many books published in recent years that explore different approaches to attaining happiness—some from motivation speakers, others from experts in the field of positive psychology. At their core these are suggestions for behavioral changes that are meant to improve your psychological well-being and outlook on life. We are coming at this from a very different perspective: Before you start changing your outlook on life to improve your emotional well-being, we want to make sure your eating behavior is the best it can be so that the master mood regulator—the brain—is provided with what it needs to be strong, sharp, healthy ... and happy.Increasingly, in our experience, it seems that fewer people truly feel they have control over their diet. ‘It’s just too hard to eat right,’ we often hear. ‘Everyone says something different’ is another refrain we get a lot. We want to change this state of affairs and settle the confusion about what needs to be eaten for a happy, healthy brain and body. The Happiness Diet provides concrete tools (tasty ones, too) for doing just that.”~ Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey, MD from The Happiness DietWhat if happiness began at the end of your fork?The latest research on neuroscience and nutrition tells us that’s a VERY wise place to start.And, of course, that’s what this book is all about: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, Energized Body.Tyler Graham is a wellness expert who was the health editor at O, The Oprah Magazine before launching the health section for Details magazine. Drew Ramsey, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and practicing psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. The two teamed up to write a great book.The Happiness Diet is a really well-written, eye-opening look at how we got into the nutritional mess we’re in and the extremely damaging effects of the modern American diet. And, of course, more importantly, how we can optimize our nutrition so we can dial in the three facets of happiness: our focus, our mood, and our energy.I'm excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas:1. Want to Get MAD or SAD? - Just eat what most people eat.2. Beaver Anal Gland Juice - Who knew it's in pudding.3. Food for Thought - + Food for energy + food for mood.4. Carbage Out - Nutrients in.5. Best Way to Keep Smiling? - Keep Trying.Here’s to optimizing our focus + energy + happiness one bite at a time!More goodness— including PhilosophersNotes on 300+ books in our ​*OPTIMIZE*​ membership program. Find out more at brianjohnson . me.

Makes a difference on how we eat

If everyone had to read this book, the world would be a much better place. It exposes the harsh realities of what the food industry has become. The things 99% of people turn a blind eye to because they like lying to themselves and stay ignorant. I already knew the industry was corrupt and evil but this just solidified it for me even more. This book should be in schools all over the world and a mandatory read. The world needs a re-set, from the ground up its so corrupt and backwards. Sorry for the rant

I am a medical professional and read and research A LOT about nutrition and I can find no fault in the science behind this book. There was also enough in this book that I didn't know to keep me interested and reading. I bought the kindle version, and like it enough to want the paper version so I don't ruin the kindle in the kitchen. I tried two of the recipes tonight, and they were both yummy and ridiculously simple to make. (Except, in the baked cod recipe, the ingredient list says "3 pats of butter" but the instructions only tell you when to us 1 of them...but it turned out great with just the one.) I am visiting family now, but as soon as I get home I am cleaning out my cabinets and shopping for a chest freezer. The plan is simple, easy, yet flexible. Although, I say this because I live in the Bay Area with a Whole Foods every few miles and I have a CSA. If, like many of my friends, I lived in the Midwest, it would be more difficult to find the foods recommended, but still possible to make drastic improvements in ones diet. When I lived in Indiana, it never occurred to me a cow could NOT eat corn... and I am not sure you can even buy grass-fed beef in a store there. But I am rambling. I think I want a case of these to give to all of my friends and family. Even if they never read the information, they can just pretend it is a cookbook with an exceptionally long foreword and eat better. I will revise my review after a few weeks of happily eating.--------------------I think it makes a difference. My diet isn't 100% "Happy" but with movements in this direction for a while, and replacing my animal products to be more "happy" I feel better and my skin looks great. It was subtle, but then I went back to Indiana for a week and staying in a hotel in a rural area and ate SAD food, and I really felt it.

Highly recommended for those looking for a holistic perspective on personal self-care.The book offers a strong argument for food as strategy for health.It does lean a little too heavily on vilifying common foods rather than just focusing on the “good foods”. This can distract from the message in my opinion.Ultimately - I was hoping for a read that was targeting strengths and assets of certain foods. This book does that, but only by pointing to the “pathology” of certain foods. It’s a shame that they felt the need to apply this strategy (build up one by tearing down the other). I’d be interested in reading a book that was exclusively a positive celebration of good foods only with no deadweight comparisons to harmful stuff (which is well discussed in other books).Having said all of that - the book is definitely an asset. Coupled with Michael Pollan’s books and some basic appreciation of our habits, there’s a great deal of useful stuff here. They provide great recipes and a good structure to supplement the positive wisdom.I’d enjoy more by the authors if they were to do a follow up (especially, if they did one that incorporates chapters on mindful eating and socially engaged eating; two commonly overlooked aspects of a healthful approach to sustenance).

Thankful for this book. I am now aware and informed on what I’ve ACTUALLY been eating all my life. I’m going to buy copies for my extended family as well. Now that I know, I am determined to eat better, cook more often, and inform others.

I think this is an excellent book with a lot of great information, sadly I've passed it on to someone else and am now thinking I might have to buy it again ! as I feel it would be good to keep as a reference.I have suffered from eating disorders in the past and have spent a lot of my life trying to lose weight or being unhappy about my weight, one of the things I find is that on a lot of calorie controlled or restricted diets you end up being irritable and miserable which is bad not only for yourself but also your family. This is what prompted me to buy the book.This is not a 'diet' (as in losing weight) book as such, but a 'diet' as in eating sensibly, healthily and normally.I have achieved a healthy BMI of under 25 for the first time in about 10 years and I'm not on a diet.My only dislike is that it is rather 'American' in its approach, but I would say you can read through that to some good sound advice.

I already have had to take stock of my nutritition due to having been diagnosed in the past with IBS & also have a delicate tummy. I cured this myself & do things like not eating shop breadthis book - despite being written for Americans should be read by everyone, esp parents & people who care about their physical & mental health - not just by people wanting to lose weighta real eye-opener - I'm recommending it to friends & family

Great book- for people that want to avoid the roller coaster rides of a sugar diet and processed food diet - and tells you exactly how foods you eat effect your well being -And of course weight -a must read

Good solid nutritional advice, would highly recommend. Just made so much sense!

ALL GOOD GREAT BOOK