What’s better than calorie input / output?

I’m tempted to say, “Just about anything,” because the calorie myth is being disproved over and over again these days. Finally!

That myth is a distraction from the real effects of food. Below are just a few.

1. Food Chemistry and the Brain

No, there is no brain chemistry in food. But certain properties of food help the brain make certain brain chemicals.

Protein foods provide amino acids.

As you remember from seventh grade biology (!!?!?), Amino acids are the “building blocks of proteins.” The brain uses amino acids to produce brain chemicals that influence our mood.

Three of them are dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Protein also provides B vitamins to help the brain make these 3 chemicals.

Dopamine is associated with pleasure and reward. Activates alertness, clarity, and faster response time. A brain with dopamine is ready for action.

Norepinephrine is another reward chemical that activates alertness. It is antidepressant and has analgesic properties.

Serotonin makes us feel relaxed and calm. Reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It is also a pain reliever. With food, serotonin produces satiety, especially for carbohydrates.

To take advantage of the natural properties of protein foods, eat fish, shrimp, crabs, poultry, eggs, beef, cottage cheese, high-protein yogurt.

But I am vegan!

Use the many plant protein powders available. Hemp, peas, brown rice, sacha inchi, and vegetable protein powders effectively replace animal proteins. Vegan or not, never skimp on protein if you want your brain to function optimally.

2. Food and hormones

We are NOT talking about hormones administered to animals that can harm the health of those who eat food. This section is about the hormones our body produces when we eat specific foods.

Here are 3 examples of how hormones triggered by food can affect us.

CCK

When we eat fat and / or protein foods, the body releases CCK (cholecystokinin).

CCK is almost magical. It makes us feel like we’ve had enough food and don’t need more for a while. It decreases your appetite for carbohydrates and also stops carbohydrate cravings.

Insulin

When we eat starches (“carbohydrates”), the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin is absolutely vital, but too much can cause problems. What can excess insulin do?

• Promotes fat storage, moving glucose to fat stores.

• Inhibits the use of fats (oxidation), so instead we burn carbohydrates for fuel.

• Promotes inflammation and is at the heart (!) Of a number of metabolic conditions that increase the risk of heart disease.

Glucagon

When we eat protein, the body releases glucagon. Glucagon moves fat from storage into the bloodstream, so it can be used for energy.

Those are just 3 of the hormones that respond to specific foods we eat. As you can see, they have benefits that make them more attractive than calorie intake / output.

3. Food and sleep

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and is sometimes classified as a hormone. It is produced in the brain and intestines and is found in platelets and other places. It is a vasoconstrictor.

Serotonin is better known as an antidepressant, but it does so much more.

In the gastrointestinal tract, it helps control appetite, especially for carbohydrates.

When we are injured, platelets release serotonin. It triggers vasoconstriction to decrease blood flow and promotes blood clots.

What if we don’t have enough?

Low serotonin is linked to anxiety, low self-esteem, cravings for sweet and / or starchy carbohydrates, and trouble sleeping.

If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try eating a small serving of healthy starch about 80 to 90 minutes before bed. The starch will start the process that allows the brain to make serotonin. Serotonin in turn produces melatonin, often called the sleep hormone. All natural, without side effects.

If your problem sleeping is waking up in the middle of the night and not falling asleep again, starches will help you fall asleep again.

Keep your portions small. The idea is to change the chemistry of the brain, not to add another food.

WHAT’S MORE! This works best if you eat protein with your meals and snacks throughout the day.

As you can see, food is so much more (and more interesting!) Than calorie input / output.

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