FOOD SPECIAL...Mood food

Mood food

Your body’s nutritional status influences how you feel far more than you would realise. You may be one of those who starts the day on an energetic note but find yourself feeling lethargic by the end of the day. Or you may be a person who wakes up feeling irritable, and find that your mood improves by the end of the day when it’s already time for bed. While most of us think of food in terms of satisfying our taste buds and hunger, very rarely do we realise how our temperament is governed by the food we eat. Food can energise you or pull you down. Erratic eating habits can affect your body nutrient balance and define your temperament in the long run. Does your energy meter yo-yo? People who find themselves subsequently high and low on energy at different times are definitely loading up on refined carbohydrates and not eating enough complex carbohydrates (read: too many white flour products and too little whole grain cereals). Refined carbohydrates raise the blood sugar all of a sudden but this level stays elevated only for a short while and then drops all of a sudden, called a “sugar crash”. This causes the yo-yo effect on your energy levels making you alternatively hyperactive and drained out. Make it a habit to eat more whole wheat, unpolished rice, and lesser-refined foods. Space out your meals so that you have a small energy supply every 2-3 hours. Testy, are you? If you find yourself snappy and irritable all the time you are definitely loading up on too much caffeine. But too much caffeine has been associated with anxiety, cravings, depression, emotional instability, insomnia, mood swings, nervousness and heightened premenstrual syndrome. What’s more, if you are in the habit of drinking too much caffeine if you miss out on your daily dose all of a sudden, you will find yourself experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as irritability. Stick to a maximum of three cups of caffeine a day. Replace excess caffeine gradually by drinking more water. Feeling blue? Dieting hard could be causing it. While cutting out all fat to lose weight, we fail to realise that our brains need the right kind of fat and that avoiding all types of fat can lead to anxiety and depression. Omega 3 fatty acids (walnuts and oily fish) and omega 6 fatty acids (nuts, oilseeds) help avoid depression and anxiety. Vitamins and minerals are important too — Vitamin B6 (whole grain cereals, vegetables and fruits) converts tryptophan to serotonin, a mood elevating brain chemical. See that your diet includes sufficient amounts of fats and carbohydrates. Any vitamin deficiencies can make you feel drained and tired all the time, even if you might be eating a reasonably balanced diet. While most of our reactions to day-to-day events are a part of our personality and a result of various past experiences, there are certain behaviours that we surprise ourselves with and are definitely to do with the food we eat. If changing a couple of eating habits can transform you into a happier and relaxed person then, I say why not?

Samreedhi Goel DNA  Mar 17, 2013