| (NC)-Food is more that just fuel for our | | | | and diarrhea, and too little can leave us |
| bodies. What we eat - and when - has a major | | | | feeling anxious, restless, depressed, |
| influence on the hormones that control our | | | | impulsive and aggressive. |
| moods and emotional well-being, according to | | | | |
| Sam Graci, nutritional researcher and author | | | | Balance your moods - and cravings - by eating |
| of the new book - The Food Connection: The | | | | protein at the right time of day and with the |
| Right Food at the Right Time. | | | | right amount of carbohydrates. It's important |
| | | | to reduce protein during the day and increase |
| For many Canadians, eating-on-the-go and | | | | the amount of complex carbohydrates such as |
| opting for convenience foods - instead of | | | | ripe fruits and raw vegetables that we eat. |
| healthy foods - is a way of life in today's | | | | Try a nutritional supplement such as |
| fast-paced, stress-filled society. Poor | | | | greens+™ - just one serving is the |
| eating habits not only cause poor | | | | equivalent of six organic salads. |
| concentration, depression and fatigue, but | | | | |
| they are making Canadians "hormonally" | | | | Each meal or snack has a major hormonal |
| unhealthy. Foods that are high in cholesterol | | | | affect on our current mood, energy, mental |
| and fat are wreaking havoc on the hormones | | | | clarity and emotional stability. Our last |
| that control moods. | | | | snack before bed will determine how well |
| | | | we'll sleep during the night, and that sleep |
| Serotonin is the hormone that regulates the | | | | will have a direct impact on our appetite, |
| body's appetite, obsessive behaviors and | | | | motivation, energy, decisiveness and overall |
| cravings - and it also controls our moods. | | | | moods the following day. The next time you're |
| Getting just the right amount of this hormone | | | | tempted to reach for a candy bar or bag of |
| will help keep the body emotionally fit - and | | | | potato chips, think about the consequences it |
| prevent us from packing on unwanted pounds. | | | | will have on your hormones - and your overall |
| However, too much serotonin can cause nausea | | | | health. |