In The Mood For Food: You FEEL What You Eat
Experts say what you eat can actually affect your mood. Want to feel happier? Less cranky? More calm? Check out these tips from Hungry Girl.
Clear Your Head...
If you find it hard to concentrate and often feel like your mind is a big pile of goo, try snacking on some protein-rich foods. Foods like cheese (stick with low-fat kinds), soy products, and lean poultry are great for making you feel alert, energized, and ready to take on the day. So if your brain's feeling a bit foggy, nibble on some low-cal string cheese, a veggie burger, or some boneless, skinless chicken breast. You may be thinking more clearly in no time. HG's HOT Snack Pick: Tasty Eats Soy Jerky in Hot N' Spicy. It's low in calories and fat (45 calories, <1g fat per serving), it's packed with soy protein, and it tastes GREAT! Available online, at Whole Foods and other markets that specialize in healthy or natural foods.
Cheer Up...
Everyone knows a little chocolate can fix anything, because chocolate ROCKS! And not just because it's sweet, delicious, and creamy. Experts say chocolate actually has the ability to boost our moods and make us feel more content. Here's the scoop: Fat, sugar, and an endorphin-releasing substance called phenylethylamine (all found in chocolate) raise both serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. The result? Your mouth -- AND the rest of you -- will be happier. HG's Chocolate Pick: CocoaVia Chocolate Blueberry Snack Bars (80 calories, 2g fat). Available at cocoavia.com, Target, Wal-Mart, and select markets. |
