The answer: SEROTONIN
Ever hit that time of the day when you feel super grumpy or even just down? You know what you need…a snack! So you go to the pantry and dig out some chocolate chip cookies or potato chips for a little snack and oh buddy…does that make everything much better?!
Here’s the science: When carbohydrate rich foods (excluding fruits) hit our gut, it is converted to glucose which causes insulin release. As insulin increases in your bloodstream, it allows tryptophan (a precursor to serotonin) to build up. Tryptophan then crosses your blood-brain barrier and converts to serotonin which helps you to feel calm, relaxed, and maybe even more focused or energetic. Protein rich foods seem to block this effect.
Now this doesn’t mean we need to increase our carbohydrate intake, but does give us an understanding as to why we love our carbohydrate rich foods so much! The tricky part is being wise about your portion control, timing of carb intake, and making ideal carbohydrate choices.
Struggling with weight and/or mood? We can help you understand more at Cool Creek Family Health. Come visit Farah Myers, FNP for a meet and greet to learn more about how we can help you feel your best.
