You Are What You Eat

There’s a reason gobbling a pile of calorie-dense food like French fries, candy bars, soda, and burgers can leaving you feeling sluggish with a knot in your stomach. This is the kind of stuff affectionately known as junk food. And it’s a good example of the popular phrase, “You are what you eat.”

A once-in-a-while meal at a fast food restaurant or occasional candy bar isn’t going to have a big impact on your overall health. But if your diet looks like the above example on a regular basis, your health and your mood could soon be as bad as your food choices.

Researchers at Dartmouth University found that food choices have a direct impact on your brain and contribute to fluctuations in mood. And it makes sense when you think about how you feel after a couple cups of coffee, chow down on a Thanksgiving dinner, or skip meals and try to get by on little to no food.

Crab Stuffed Sole
Crab Stuffed Sole from MagicKitchen.com

So what should you be eating to manage your health and your mood? It shouldn’t come as a surprise. The best approach to healthy eating and maintaining a positive outlook on life is a balanced one that includes lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

There’s a reason people who follow the Mediterranean Diet live longer and report enjoying a better quality of life than most. It’s directly linked to their diet which includes lots of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices, generous amounts olive oil, some fish and seafood, and limited amounts of meat and dairy products.

And if you have a sweet tooth, or food you’re craving that may not be the healthiest, you’re better off treating yourself to a small portion or serving size than going with a total binge. Why? It’s just too hard to resist for most people. You’ll either feel miserable without eating that special item, or you’ll finally give into the temptation, overindulge and feel worse.

So aim to eat a healthy diet. The right foods will have a positive impact on your overall health and your waistline. You’ll look better, live longer, and see the sunny side of life more often.

Need help planning healthy meals? Scratch fast food off your list of choices. At MagicKitchen.com, you’ll find lots of healthy and tasty meals that will satisfy your stomach and put a smile on your face. Eat healthy. Be healthy. After all, you are what you eat.

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Can Eating Too Much Protein be as Harmful as Smoking?