Food and mood

Food and mood

We often eat to calm down or cheer up when we’re feeling stressed or depressed. Now new research suggest there a reason : Food changes our brain chemistry. These changes powerfully influence our moods. But can certain food feally make us feel better? Nutrison expert say yes. But what should we eat and what should we avoid? Here are the foods that work the best, as well as those that can make a bad day worse

To outsmart stress :

What’s good? Recent research suggest that foods that are hight in carbohydrates, such as bread, rice, and pasta, can help you calm down. Researchers say that carbohydrates cause the brain to release a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin makes you feel better.

What’s bad? Many people drink coffee when they feel stress. The heat is soothing and the caffeine in coffe might help you think more clearly. But if you drink too much, you may become more anxious and irritable.

To soothe the blues :

What’s good? Introduce more lean meat, chicken, seafood, and whole grains into your diet. These food have a lot of selenium. Selenium is a mineral that helps people feel more relaxed and happy. You also try eating a Brazil nut every day. One Brazil nut contains a lot or seronium.

What’s bad? When they’re feeling low, many peole turn to comfort foods – or foods that make them feel happy or secure. These include things like sweet dessert. A chocolate bar may make you feel better ar first, but within an hour you may feel worse than you did before

Taken from Interchange book 2