Our brains are hardwired for rewards. Taken to the extreme, it can cause addiction. People can become addicted to a variety of substances and behaviors such as watching TV, using the internet, and even healthy behaviors like exercise.
Sugar and fat trigger similar pathways and feelings as drugs. Some people get a more intense feeling after eating fat and sugar than others, more so when they are under stress or dealing with emotional trauma.
If you are a “stress eater,” try these five power foods to help improve your mood.
1. Spinach: in addition to being a significant source of vitamins K, A and C (the greener, the better), spinach is an excellent source of folic acid (also called folate). This is a B vitamin sometimes used to treat depression.
2. Oatmeal: high fiber carbs like oatmeal stabilize blood sugar, and take a while to move through your system, making you feel full longer.
3. Foods with Vitamin D: low vitamin D levels are linked to depression and other mood disorders. For example, try consuming almond milk, oatmeal, fortified tofu, or orange juice. You can also get vitamin D from getting direct exposure to the sun for 5 to 20 minutes daily.
4. Bananas: they contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which is used by your body to produce a compound that makes serotonin and melatonin, two mood and sleep-regulating neurotransmitters. Bananas also contain magnesium, which further increases sleepiness, making them a great bedtime or midnight snack.
5. Chocolate: like spinach, eating chocolate releases serotonin. However, chocolate has an additional benefit. It promotes relaxation through the release of endorphins. Endorphins are “feel good” chemicals also produced after hard, aerobic exercise. Chocolate may improve blood flow to the heart and brain, thus improving concentration, due to the antioxidants it contains.
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