It’s hard to be happy at 3pm on a Monday, but with the right breakfast, a proper lunch and some quality snacks in your drawer, it’s entirely possible.

For John Hannan – digital director at delicious. – his good-food moment begins each morning with a protein-packed recovery smoothie made with coconut water, fermented and sprouted protein powder, blueberries, blackberries, chia seeds and Greek yoghurt. “After hitting the pavement each morning, it’s the perfect way to refuel and boost my mood for whatever the day has in store.”

A healthy breakfast is also the secret to food director Phoebe Wood’s reliably good mood in the mornings. “I like to have salad for breakfast, which might seem unorthodox, but starting the day with leafy greens, fresh chopped tomato, raw zucchini and chopped mint and parsley with a good squeeze of lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil is about as satiating as it gets to me, plus a great mood elevator.”

delicious. editorial director Kerrie McCallum is also a big fan of leafy greens, and she works them into every meal she can. “I love stacking frittatas and soups with kale, spinach, herbs, parsley, broccoli, brussels sprouts, you name it. If I can slow cook a whole chicken in stock with all these amazing green vegetables, then add in ginger, lemon, garlic and a bit of rice, it’s the most delicious soup for lunch and dinner, and the ultimate immunity booster through winter. Even better, my kids devour it.” Her other good-mood food is avocado, which I think we can all relate to. “You can have it with literally anything – eggs, lemon, feta, peas, haloumi – it’s the best way to start or end the day!”

Kale is also a favourite of delicious. editor Samantha Jones, who adds it to her brown-rice bowls. “I like sauteeing kale with a little bit of seasoning and chilli flakes, then adding it to the bowl with half an avocado and a fried egg. So simple but so delicious! And if I don’t have time to get a bowl together, I’d have to say my good-mood food is banana. They are satiating and an instant pick-me-up – seriously happy food.”

For restaurant and news editor Erina Starkey, the key to smiling all day – even when you’ve got a full inbox – is healthy snacks. She likes to stock up on her absolute favourite fruit and vegetables so it feels like a treat. “Depending on the season, blueberries, cherries and lychees are fruits I can really get excited about, especially if they come from my local farmers’ market. I also love baby vegetables, particularly cucumbers and radishes, which I have with some natural peanut butter or tahini. I can’t really explain it, but they always make me feel good afterwards.”