1. Potato chips
  Potato chips are a household staple in America. They are the side to every sandwich   and the perfect chip to dip for football parties and barbecues. However, this   party food can take your happiness quotient down a notch or two. Potato chips   are potatoes fried in oils rich in omega-6 fatty acids that can block mood-enhancing   omega-3 fatty acids. If you really want that crunch, try substituting almonds,   which have been shown to deliver a calming sensation.

2. Soda
  It’s no secret that soda is bad for you, but if you run to this beverage   for comfort, you may experience a little less than happiness. The initial sugar   rush will give you a quick “high,” but soon after, your mood will   plummet as your blood sugar levels come crashing down. If you crave that soda   sensation, try flavored carbonated water or add a squeeze of your favorite citrus   fruit to a glass of club soda.

3. Margarine
  Margarine's are made of inflammation-promoting, industrial fats that are harmful.   Much like fried potato chips, the high levels of omega-6 fatty acids could tamper   with your mood and healthy insulin levels. Natural is always a better choice   than fake when it comes to healthy eating. If you must use butter, use the real   thing, but in very moderate portions. Choosing healthy oils, like olive or coconut   oil, are even better. Not only are they natural, you get a healthy dose of monounsaturated   fatty acids and omega-3s.

4. Agave nectar
  In recent years there has been a lot of hype surrounding agave nectar as a better   choice for sweetening coffee, teas and generally replacing alternative sweeteners   and sugar – because it is all-natural. Unfortunately, just like honey,   it is loaded with concentrated levels of fructose. It may be all-natural, but   too much can lead to insulin resistance, excess weight gain and mood instability.   Excess sugar consumption, in all its forms, can cause peaks and valleys in blood   sugar levels, which directly affect your mood.

5. Bagels
  For a brief era, bagels gained a reputation for being a healthy food. Many people   still believe this misconception and start their morning with a plump bagel   smothered in cream cheese or butter. With or without the spreads, bagels are   not a healthy choice and will virtually guarantee an energy crash long before   lunch time. Bagels are a stealthy source of refined carbohydrates, and even   the average 4-ounce whole wheat bagel racks up nearly 400 calories without butter   or cream cheese. For a powerful, mood-boosting breakfast, choose half a whole-wheat   English muffin with egg, which will deliver fiber, B vitamins and zinc.

6. Peanuts
  Packaged, salted peanuts commonly served in bars, at parties and during baseball   games are high in sodium and contain processed food additives, including monosodium   glutamate (MSG) – an artificial flavoring linked to migraines, weakness,   burning sensations, wheezing and difficulty breathing in some individuals. Symptoms   like these can definitely cost you a good mood. Instead of peanuts, make a mix   of nuts that are rich in antioxidants, nutritious minerals and omega-3s, such   as walnuts, almonds and Brazil nuts.

7. Sweet potato casserole
  Much like bagels, sweet potatoes have earned that “health food” reputation.   A plain baked sweet potato in appropriate portions is a better choice than a   white russet potato. However, the sweet potato’s role in marshmallow casseroles   and candied homemade dishes is very, very bad for your health and your mood.   All that sugary sweetness can make your blood sugar levels soar, raise your   blood pressure and increase your risk of depression and Alzheimer’s disease.   A better choice for stable blood sugar levels is vegetables, like carrots, radishes   and cucumbers – complex carbohydrates with fiber and rich in a wide variety   of vitamins and minerals.