Food Fixes
food fixes, mood, metabolism boost, energy, brain food
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Cravings can be more than just an overwhelming desire to eat; they may, in fact, be your body's way of letting you know it's lacking something specific. Food may not be the answer to dealing with all of life's problems, but face it, it is, in fact, the coping drug of choice for many people. That's not necessarily a bad thing - if you make wise choices. Here are some common ailments, and foods that may act as remedies.
Feeling Stress? Eat This
1 Cup of Low-fat Yogurt or 2 Tbsp of Mixed Nuts
Scientists in Slovakia gave people 3 grams each of two amino acids—lysine and arginine—or a placebo and asked them to deliver a speech. Blood measurements of stress hormones revealed that the amino acid–fortified guys were half as anxious during and after the speech as those who took the placebo. Yogurt is one of the best food sources of lysine; nuts pack tons of arginine.
Feelling Sad? Don't reach for an antidepressant or an alcholic beverage...try eating this
Arugula or Spinach Salad
Leafy greens—arugula, chard, spinach—are rich sources of B vitamins, which are part of the assembly line that manufactures feel-good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, a lack of B6 can cause nervousness, irritability, and even depression.
Feeling Fat? Eat This (yep, eating may help - starving yourself is likely to lead to binging, making the problem worse)
Grilled Chicken Breast
The protein in lean meat and poultry fills you up and speeds metabolism, which cuts your cravings while easing off the pounds. High-protein diets also help to build muscle and attack extra belly fat.
Feeling Low on Energy? Try this
Eat ThisA Handful of Trail Mix
Raisins provide potassium, which your body uses to convert sugar into energy. Nuts stock your body with magnesium, w... read entire entry
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on 5/30/2008
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15
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Sweet Disturbing Facts
refined sugar, insulin, obesity, mood swings, aging
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When it comes to nutrition value refined sugar is close to zero.
Because of the industrial processes involved in manufacturing, sugar has very, very little nutrition value: The vitamins and enzymes have become denatured (loose their molecular shape) and thus fail to contribute to the body's metabolic requirements. Refined sugar is also devoid of mineral content.
-It is pure energy
For those who frequently eat significant amounts of refined sugar products, this can lead to many problems.
Because a large intake of sugar causes a sharp rise in blood glucose, the pancreas jets out high levels of insulin as a sudden response. The insulin converts glucose into glycogen as storage in the liver.
However, the overreaction of high insulin more than converts the excess glucose. This results in the blood having lower than normal glucose levels. Consequently, hunger is felt. Remember that, an individual in this circumstance has more than enough glucose, but it has been converted as storage in the liver.
So the need to munch away again is carried out (more sugar perhaps?). The even more excess glucose from this next eating binge causes the glucose storage to get converted into fat...Frequent recurrences of this situation can lead to obesity and type '2 diabetes.
-It can cause Type-2 Diabetes
Diabetes is the body's inability to control the blood glucose levels. Diabetes type-1 is where there is insufficient insulin; a lack of insulin produced from the pancreas needed to regulate sugar levels. In the case of diabetes type-2 the insulin levels needed are sufficient. However, the insulin produced is ineffective: What this means is the insulin is not in any way defective but is ineffective in that the body's cells do not respond to it. With reference to the earlier point regarding the constantly high sugar intake and high insulin levels as a response: After a wh... read entire entry
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on 5/22/2008
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28.8
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Gone Bananas!
bananas, mood, nutrition, diet
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I never begin my day without one!
A banana is the most unique of all fruit because unlike any fruit it does not come from trees at all but from large plants that are giant herbs and are related to lily and orchid family.
In order to have a healthy lifestyle, you have to meet your daily requirement of five fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a perfect part of your diet and they are the most popular fruit in America. Bananas are available all year and they are a great source of instant energy whether you are watching your diet or just trying to eat healthy. Like other fruits and vegetables, bananas contain no fat, sodium or cholesterol. It is a known fact that a low fat, balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 and they are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. Lack of B6 in a diet can cause weakness, irritability and insomnia. The potassium found in bananas helps to regulate blood pressure and may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Potassium is also essential for helping muscles to contract properly during exercise and reduces cramping up. A medium-sized banana provides 400 mg of potassium -11% of daily value- and contains 110 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Bananas also contain plenty of carbohydrates which are the body's main source of energy. They are also easy to digest.
Because of their great taste, they can also serve as a substitute for sweets and satisfy sugar cravings.
Research also shows that serotonin and norepinephrine in bananas may naturally help sufferers overcome depression. They are the good mood food.
Convenience and nutritional value of bananas make them a good post-exercise snack. During long exercises your body loses vitamins and minerals and a banana replaces these nutrients as well as giving you the ene... read entire entry
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on 3/22/2008
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14.3
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