Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

This Chocolate Mousse Is A Nutritional Psychiatrist's Go-To Dessert For A Good Mood

Jamie Schneider
Author:
September 05, 2020
Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
By Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.
Chocolate powder and cocoa
Image by SEE D JAN / iStock
September 05, 2020
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

We'll admit, if you have a strong sweet tooth, any rich, chocolaty treat is bound to lift your spirits somewhat. Stressed spelled backward is desserts, no? But we're talking about full-on brain health, here: According to Uma Naidoo, M.D., board-certified psychiatrist, professional chef, and author of This Is Your Brain On Food, the right dessert can actually enhance your brain function—it just depends on what ingredients make it into the confection. 

For a treat that's just as healthy as it is delicious, check out Naidoo's rich chocolate mousse recipe. As she shares on the mindbodygreen podcast, "It's creamy, sweet, and you don't have to do too much to put it together."

How to make Naidoo's chocolate mousse.

This recipe is jam-packed with brain-healthy nutrients, but the two base ingredients are especially impressive. First up: cacao. Because organic, raw dark chocolate is fermented (it happens during the cacao beans' drying process), it's actually quite healthy for your gut. And, as it turns out, any gut-supporting food is also simultaneously good for your brain (thanks to the gut-brain connection). Next, avocado gives the mousse its creaminess, but it also supplies healthy fat, fiber, and magnesium—all of which have been shown to promote better brain function. Specifically, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help promote a healthy emotional balance and positive mood. 

At a bare minimum, that's all you'd need for a brain-healthy base. Of course, Naidoo chucks in a few other ingredients to give the mousse a little something extra. Here's exactly what you'll need:

  • Piece of avocado (about ¼ slice)
  • Organic cacao powder (feel free to guess-and-test, depending on how rich and chocolaty you like your mousse, but we would assume around a ¼ cup)
  • 1 super-ripe banana
  • A bit of honey; "Just a little to sweeten, but you might not even need it," Naidoo notes. 

Then just combine all the ingredients in a blender until it takes on a whipped consistency. Naidoo likes to top her dessert with berries and cacao nibs (for even more antioxidants, plus an added crunch), but you can choose your own adventure here. Feel free to dig into the pudding right away or store it in the fridge for a couple of hours for a refreshing, cool mousse. 

The takeaway.

Whip up Naidoo's go-to mousse, and you've got yourself a rich, decadent dessert with tons of brain-healthy nutrients. Consider it a cheeky treat that truly promotes a good mood—long after you've spooned the final bite. 

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Food
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.