Welcome to healthy cooking Guide
Easy Recipes Healthy Recipe Food Cooking Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
from: Holla
What the junk food you eat says about you, and how you can reset your body No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut. This amusing thought sums up the power of the human craving for mouthwatering food.
Unlike hunger, which is our body’s way of ensuring it is provided with energy to stay alive, cravings are mainly a psychological need for high-fat or high-sugar foods that taste delicious.
UK’s scientists have now traced junk food cravings to prehistoric times when the brain’s opioids and dopamine (brain chemicals that let out feel-good sensations) reacted to the benefit of high-calorie food as a survival mechanism. The scientists have explained how we are programmed to relish junk food. But why do we crave certain foods and what do our cravings tell us about the reasons behind them?
Nutritionist and obesity consultant Naini Setalvad explains, “While several factors could cause cravings, the most common stem either from a deficiency of minerals and vitamins or due to a mild imbalance in our neurotransmitters, which are our body’s chemical messengers. They carry impulses between nerve cells and some control our moods and feelings. For instance, someone who chronically has low blood pressure would instinctually take to saltier foods; as would one who lacks minerals available in salt.”
The science behind cravings, which are driven by intense sensations of desire for certain foods, explains how neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine run the show. A dip in our body’s serotonin levels causes cravings for starchy and sweet foods. Setalvad says, “This is why we subconsciously reach out for chocolate, rice, breads, potatoes and even fried foods, when we are upset. Increased availability of such foods also makes us emotionally dependent on them.
Therefore, even the tiniest stressor in our lives propels our need for these foods.” Serotonin helps maintain a ‘happy feeling’ and calms anxiety. Whereas, dopamine helps us calm down and elevates our mood. “This is why most stressed people would prefer bananas as their favorite fruit,” she adds.
B complex vitamins and minerals such as zinc and magnesium are linked to depression. Therefore, if we lack adequate levels of these, we get easily upset and end up craving for sweets, Setalvad says. Also, stress pushes us further towards high-energy foods such as cakes and sweets. “Sugar has an enormous impact on our moods and cravings. Usually someone feeling down pines for it. When you opt for white sugar, your craving gets momentarily satisfied coupled with a sudden rush of energy. But when this effect wears off, it leaves you irritable, low and restless till you get another sugar fix. This is why I feel sugar, on this count, is nearly as bad as a recreational drug. Caffeine has the same effect.”
Easy Recipes Healthy Recipe Food Cooking News
Homemade Baby Food… Made Easy!
HACKENSACK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Freshfoods™ you can make wholesome, homemade baby food quickly and easily. Making homemade baby food is no longer a chore.
Read more...
Mother's Day Stories Connect Our Memories of Mom to Healthy, Homemade Food
PORTLAND, Ore., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- This week, the new YouTube Original Programming Initiative series "Food.Farmer.Earth ." is bringing the taste of home to viewers with four  Mother's ...
Read more...
No recipe required ... just fresh inspiration from local food
The first official Food Revolution Day turned into two busy days of food adventure.
Read more...
Food recipes and shopping lists easily to mobiles of K-food store customers
KESKO FOOD LTD PRESS RELEASE 16.05.2012 AT 10.30 1(2) Shopping is easier when the products needed are found on the shopping list sorted by the store department. Using the mobile service is quick, as no ...
Read more...
Culinary classes and events: Week of May 23, 2012
Sur La Table-Farmers Market location, Los Angeles: Food of the Greek Islands, 6:30 tonight ($69); Asian Noodle Night, 6:30 p.m. Thursday ($69); Fabulous Desserts, 11 a.m. Friday ($69); French Bistro Classics, 6:30 p.m. Friday ($85); Essential Knife Skills, 2 p.m. Saturday ($59);
Read more...
