Corporate Health Some food for thought...
LIFE is to be lived, to the full. For the most part, our lives revolve around good food, good clothes, and good times. Especially food! Food defines life for the quintessential Indian or any `foodaholic' for that matter. You eat if you are happy, sad or bored. In short, your state of mind drives you to eat.
Scientific studies and surveys show that our moods, and sometimes mood swings are intimately linked with the foods we eat. We experience either dramatic highs or lows when we don't consume a balanced diet. Being aware of what foods cause what moods can qualitatively improve life and boost energy levels. When you eat right to live right, it can make a tremendous difference in your productivity, enhance your memory and alertness.
Although one's ability to be persevering, successful and highly motivated is dependent to a great extent on one's attitude and mental state, a good store of physical energy and stamina too can give one an additional boost and drive to go that extra mile, and put in that extra hour. In fact, even mild cases of depression can be kept at bay if you are taking in the right kinds of food.
Why is the right kind of food so important?
Our brain is a complex network of chemical substances and nerve cells. They help maintain the chemical balance in the brain. The neuro-transmitters in these cells are made up of amino acids (protein-building substances).
As most of us would've learnt in science classes at school, neuro-transmitters transmit messages back and forth, and regulate important nerve functions such as memory, appetite, movement, wake-sleep cycles and mood. Though most of these neuro-transmitters are naturally produced in the body, there are four that are produced by food, which are instrumental in endowing us with good memory, sense of well-being, concentration, alertness and energy levels.
Amino acids released by food influence levels of mood elevation, performance, behaviour and energy levels. Therefore, it's a certainty that what you eat affects how you feel. Here are some food facts to remember when you want to go gorging or starving -
Food-tips
AVOID bingeing on food. At any cost. Eat at regular intervals of 3-4 hours. Whenever you experience a craving for food, remember not to just give in and eat something. Use food intelligently as a source of health to make you feel good through the day. As you must've heard many a time from a many a nutritionist, always prefer a balanced diet.
When you are feeling blue, by all means, head for that tempting bar of rich, dark and delicious chocolate. But mind you, just a bar will probably suffice. Chocolate boosts the release of a mood-elevating chemical.
Whole-wheat grains contain an amino acid that boosts the `feel good' factor levels in the brain.
Foods that contain substantial amounts of goodness are chicken, turkey and tuna. They improve one's attention span, motivation levels and alertness and reflexes, and reduce irritability levels. If you're a vegetarian, you can go in for supplements of vitamin c (Oranges and grapefruit).
Capsicum and Paprika are good. They not only set your tongue on fire but also send important brain signals. When the receptors in your tongue experience the first taste of the spice, they send signals of pain to your brain receptors, which then release the painkilling chemicals, endorphins. So the more chillies you consume, the more endorphins get released. However, the sensible know when to stop, and that too much chilly can cause ulcers too!
Food should be protein rich. Protein rich food helps in maintaining blood sugar levels. Typically, these foods include poultry, eggs, fish and meat. Among vegetarian fare, it is cheese, milk, tofu and legumes. They release a chemical known as tyrosine, which keeps one alert and energetic.
But that doesn't imply you ignore other food groups. Carbohydrates for instance are effective in promoting stress-relief. It's however not always best not to combine carbohydrates and proteins. Carbohydrates trigger the release of insulin, which quicken the absorption of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into the neuro-transmitter serotonin that however, in large quantities induces sleep. So remember, moderate, moderate and `mood'erate!
Include caffeine (small doses, 2 cups or so of coffee), fruit juices (avoid sweetening it too much, it causes an energy low instead!) and milkshakes (preferably made from skimmed milk) to give you that quick energy boost and protect you from dehydration. Don't ignore H2O of course.
Include healthy doses of folic acid in your diet. Even as little as 200 micrograms of folic acid can help control mild instances of depression. Spinach, mushrooms, peas or a glass of orange juice contain folic acid.
Selenium is another important component that can cause bad moods. People with very little selenium have been observed to become anxious, irritable, hostile and depressed than those with normal levels of selenium. Tuna, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, whole grain cereals and swordfish are good sources.
And include eggs in your diet! Its high protein content will ensure that you remain energetic through the day. High cholesterol foods such as eggs and liver contain vitamin B complex. It improves memory and concentration. Remember, food is one of the solutions, and not the only solution for every problem. It's not healthy to eat to feel good.
At the same time, if you feel you're in a phase of indifferent health, and don't know what's making you unhappy, then a change in the diet plan will probably help you. Consult a dietician and find out with what you need to supplement your diet.
Everyday newer findings seem to emphasise the benefits of consuming the right kind of `amino acid foods'. People and researchers are beginning to wonder if food that causes people to be assertive, confident, self-assured, and bold can also cause people to be more successful.
And even become wealthy! Move over vaastu and Feng Shui! It's `right mood food' for the hungry soul now. So, choose your food with care, it's not only healthy, but enriching too!
SAMYUKTA KODA
samyukta.hyd@cnkonline.com
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Opportunities
