HFO (Happiness and Fitness Online)

“We eat because…”

My neighbor used to say that food, of any kind, always tastes better when taken if one is famished. And he’s right. A great many, worldwide, eat to slake a hunger not to have an unforgettable dining experience. “How much” and “when” are more important than “what.”

What we eat is what we get:

We eat because we are hungry, in the process we get the nutrients our bodies need to function properly to survive. Unfortunately not many of us get to eat what we are supposed to eat but eat what we have.

For example, eating foods that keep sugar levels steady and the gastrointestinal tracts functioning smoothly can definitely make one feel good and energetic. Certain foods can influence the level of serotonin, the feel-good hormone or prevent inflammation for better blood circulation. A diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fat is definitely heart-friendly than that of  high-fat, high-glycemic meal that can induce a feeling of physical dysfunction.

Feel good, not just “full”:

An article for WebMD, by Elaine Magee MPH, RD, lists these food types that can “make our day:”

1.       Fill up on vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate):

These are found, among others, in chili made with kidney beans and lean beef, or light chicken Caesar salad from skinless chicken breast and romaine lettuce, or grilled salmon with a side of broccoli.

Foods rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid appear to help prevent disorders of the central nervous system, mood disorders and dementia (Edward Reynolds, MD, Institute of Epileptology, King’s College, London).

In my first visit to Japan, I learned how to say “hello” the Japanese way – bow from the waist and smile. After three or four of such “hellos,” I found it difficult to smile due to sore waist muscles.  Ever wonder how the Japanese can do that the whole day? Probably from their diet full of  folic acid (from the beans and greens they eat) and vitamin B12 (from meats, fish, poultry and dairy).

2.       Have fruits and vegetables in a big way:

Have you ever seen a chimp with the blues? That’s because they load up a lot on fruits, specifically bananas. No, taking lots of bananas can’t make one go bananas.

Fruits and vegetables are full of key nutrients and antioxidant phytochemicals, which directly contribute to good health and health-related quality of life. In one study, it was shown that people who eat two or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day had an 11% higher likelihood of having a good functional health and feel far better with their health than those who don’t.

I guess I have to load up more on bananas and papayas to get away from being depressed ever so often.

3.       Get more selenium into your system:

Selenium is a mineral that acts like an antioxidant in the body. Research suggests that the presence of oxidative stress in the brain can cause some cases of mild to moderate depression among elderly people. Selenium negates the effects of this oxidative stress. I hope it does for me as well.

As written previously, after my wife died I suffered bouts of depression and had to consult a doctor. He prescribed anti-depression drugs which, from the Internet, could  contribute to erectile dysfunction. Had I continued using that very expensive drug, I would have had a depression over a depression by now. Now I am confident that my mind power and diet preferences give me better chances of getting away from depression.

I am basically a fish-eater with occasional clams, seashells and crabs. I don’t have uric acid problems to stop me from indulging on beans and other legumes like peanuts. My meat is lean, though I don’t eat beef that much. I don’t eat turkey but I find chicken skin detestable to the taste.

4.       Eat fish more often than you should:

Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids which seem to prevent mood swings like postpartum depression. Postpartum depression I cannot have, erectile dysfunction can. I cannot quantify the benefits from eating fish but whatever shortfall there is, seldinafil drugs make up for it.

5.       Get a daily dose of vitamin D:

In a sun-drenched country such as the Philippines, this is not so difficult. What is more difficult to understand is why a lot of Filipinos shun the beach for fear of getting “tanned.” Vitamin D is synthesized by our skin from sunlight which we have plenty of.

Studies showed that low levels of vitamin D, not only can result to physical illnesses but can contribute, as well, to higher incidences of PMS (post-menstrual syndrome), seasonal effective disorder (lunacy), non-specified mood disorder and major depressive disorder.

I have more of this from jogging, diving and ordinary day-to-day activities. But no amount of sunshine can make me feel good on days when I play like an idiot in tennis.

6.       An ounce of chocolate gives a pound of physical wellness:

This runs to conventional wisdom but a study in the Netherlands showed that men who had 1/3 of a chocolate bar each day had lower levels of blood pressure and lower rates of heart disease and boosted their general sense of well-being. The study did not mention how overweight they were from eating that much chocolate.

According to Dr. Diane Becker of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, small amounts of dark chocolate has an effect on the levels of brain endorphins – those feel-good chemicals that our bodies produce. Of course, chocolate always make people feel good. That chocolate have a heart-healthy anti-clogging effect in our blood vessels is a difficult sale.

I like chocolate but I don’t gorge on it. It’s too sweet for my taste. Too much of it not only makes my throat feel like hell, it makes my heartbeat go chugging like a run-away train.