Eating for Health not just taste...

So many of us grew up eating food because it tasted good (or not). We ate what was there (or we did without!) Those unhealthy eating habits tend to stay with us throughout our lives even when we have the resources to improve our diet. When I went gluten and dairy free in 2011, I saw huge changes in not only my physique, but in my mental clarity as well.

Have you ever eaten a meal and felt like crap afterwards? Do you feel like you need a nap sometimes after you eat?

 I can honestly saw that since I began my clean eating lifestyle that rarely happens to me.

This Scientific American article explains why this happens to us:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-i-get-a-slump-in-mental-energy

Basically it is due to the fact, that eating triggers the parasympathetic nervous system which tells your body to slow down and digest. (it is the opposite of an adrenaline rush, basically.)  There is a direct correlation between the amount of food you consume and the amount of stimulation to your parasympathetic nervous system.  When you eat a large meal, the bulk of your energy goes to digest.  Hence, you are in food coma.

 Food coma is also caused by sucrose or white refined sugar.  Our body processes this into glucose, which is used to fuel the body.  During this process, we experience a surge in blood sugar.  Our body then produces insulin to "mop up" the excess glucose and return blood sugar levels to normal.  This increase in insulin causes the brain to produce melatonin and serotonin, which are neurochemicals that cause that drowsy feeling. This sleepy feeling will usually subside after an hour.

 Your meals should be high in protein, low in simple carbs, and contain a dose of healthy fat. So having said all of that, the main focus of this post is to include a short checklist for consuming foods that promote healthy blood sugar levels and can help you fight that food coma feeling:

1. Eat foods low on the glycemic index!
   (vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, & some fruits such as berries)

2. Eat a healthy protein-rich snack between main meals!

3. Eat Breakfast! 
   (consisting of a protein & health fat source... such as an egg white omelette with        an avocado garnish)
    
4. Avoid refined sugars and carbs.
    (This includes soft drinks!)

-S