To take license with a popular catch phrase about the economy: It’s the carbohydrates, silly!
For all their positives, carbs are still demonized by the general public. Even if you have never subscribed to one of the popular low-carb diets (Atkins, South Beach, etc.), we all are probably guilty of selecting the low-carb, high-protein version of our favorite food at least once.
But consider this: Skimping on carbs can result in wild mood swings. It is the carbohydrate, not the protein, which triggers the production of mood-stabilizing serotonin in the brain. If you avoid them because some popular diets claim that they will make you fat, you’ll end up feeling downright lousy.
Carbs are Mood-Enhancers Several studies have documented that diets containing at least 40 percent of calories from carbohydrates can have mood-improving effects on clinically depressed subjects. (These diet-induced alterations in mood are less pronounced in healthy subjects since it is more difficult to show the impact of a mood change in someone who isn’t markedly depressed.)
Research has also shown that women who have had an episode of depression have increased odds of developing abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Commonly referred to as metabolic syndrome, these conditions set the stage for type II diabetes, heart disease, even stroke.
This pattern is not surprising: When you’re depressed, you don’t take good care of yourself. Depressed people are more likely to smoke, eat an unhealthy diet, stop exercising and not comply with medical treatment. They give up on consistency of positive habits, which are the backbone of health.
Conversely, studies show that obesity increases the risk of depression. So once you are overweight, you have a greater chance of becoming depressed, which may thwart any efforts that you make to improve your lifestyle and lose weight. It is a vicious cycle.
Which takes us back to eating carbs: They can help boost your mood and trim you down. But choose wisely. Research proves that low- to moderate-glycemic-index carbohydrates (such as those from whole grains like brown rice, couscous, quinoa and oatmeal) are your best choices. Let your mood be your guide and you can’t go wrong!
From The Good Mood Diet: Feel Great While You Lose Weight by Susan Kleiner, PhD, with Bob Condor.
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One Reader Comment:
[...] The Solution: If you are trying to lose weight, choose high-fiber carbohydrates (found in whole-grain foods) that take longer to digest, leaving you feeling fuller, longer. “I’m glad that consumers are understanding the importance of healthier carbs like whole grains and fiber as part of a balanced diet,” says Melina Jampolis, M.D. “I would definitely advise against consuming less than three servings a day of whole grains long term if you are aiming for optimal health.” For more reasons why you need carbs in your diet, click here. [...]