One thing I know for sure is that happiness is connected to two key mood regulators that our brains produce: serotonin and noradrenaline.

Serotonin is a mood enhancer that has an effect on pain, pleasure, anxiety, panic, arousal, and sleep patterns. Noradrenaline is a chemical that elevates our moods and affects stress and anxiety. The more concentrated the amounts of these two chemicals, the happier we are!

How does food happily enter this happy picture?

Recent research has confirmed that there is a link between eating certain foods and feeling better, happier and relaxed!

What are these “happy” foods?

These foods are proteins and (hold still your heart) our beloved carbohydrates! Carbohydrates carry a key amino acid, tryptophan, to our brains. Once there, tryptophan does its thing, and both serotonin and noradrenaline are produced. Our moods are given a bit of boost.

Feeling Blue? Here, from the
Our Lady of Weight Loss Happy Eating Vault:

Six Secret Foods that Boost, Lift, and Give a Bounce

Bananas.  They are loaded with magnesium, which reduced anxiety and helps you to sleep better.

Orange Juice.  Two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice can help to lessen nervousness and bad moods. Lack of vitamin C, which affects noradrenaline levels, can make you crabby!

Brazilian Walnuts. A hard nut to crack and find! Nevertheless, they are rich in selenium, which is related to a pleasant disposition. (I “ask” all visitors, particularly relatives, eat two upon entering my home.)

Chocolate. Ninety percent of women crave chocolate. (HUGE surprise.) It does have a soothing effect and seems to bring pleasure. Stick with dark chocolate and small amounts. Savor it!

Turkey.  This protein is a great source of tyrosine amino acid, which produces dopamine and noradrenaline and is great for relaxation and sleeping. Who hasn’t fallen asleep after Thanksgiving turkey?

Water. Dehydration is a common cause of feeling tired, cranky, and depressed. When the body is dehydrated, the blood flow to the organ slows and functions decrease. Goodness gracious, that’s scary. Bottoms up!

Other than eating bananas, what might increase your level of happiness? Bring it up just one notch?

Step into the “Lite.” Our Lady of Weight Loss is with you every ounce of the weigh!

For more happiness, join Our Lady of Weight Loss’s Kick in the Tush Club/FB!

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Spread the Word-–NOT the icing!

Janice Taylor, Life and Wellness Coach,
Weight Loss Expert, Author, Artist, Positarian
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