Tip of The Week
Weekly insights for your children. Topics may include: Prevention of Allergies, Baby Food Guide and Signals of a Weak Immune System.
FOOD AFFECTING YOUR MOODS
For me, lack of food can definitely cause me to be irritable. Sometimes I have wondered if what I ate the evening before has affected my mood the next day. You can probably think of how your child's behavior has changed after a certain food or drink.
We have heard the effects of sugar on behavior but what about the effects of wheat and dairy and how that may alter our moods? There was a recent article in the Calgary Herald discussing this specific topic and stating how food DOES affect our MOODS:
"It's a fast-food nation, and we don't always take the time to make the connection between what we eat and how we feel," says Kristy Lewis, a naturopathic doctor at Pure Med Naturopathic Centre in Ottawa.Casein, which is found in dairy, and gluten in wheat are two culprits. According to some theories, some people get a toxic effect, creating a substance in the body that leads to aggression or the inability to control behaviour."
Manufactured chemicals like aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG) can also be temper igniters, Lewis says. She suggests nixing foods like instant soups and sauces that contain MSG, plus foods with artificial colouring and low-cal sweeteners.
Aggressive behaviour can also be related to low blood sugar, so experts recommend eating more small meals of whole grains, protein and vegetables to keep levels in balance and avoiding refined carbohydrates such as bread, fruit juices and pastries that cause levels to yo-yo."
Sounds like another reason to watch what we feed our little ones! Also brings attention to the importance of parents eating well, to help our moods in those challenging parenting days :)
Some foods they recommend to combat irritability: omega 3, fish oils, high fiber vegetables and vitamin B (pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, peppers, oats, bran, turkey)
HAPPY EATING :)
Angry? It might be something you ate
Research is finding a connection between food choices and your mood
By Jenn Gearey, Ottawa Citizen; Canwest News Servicehttp://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Angry+might+something/1394724/story.html
