These foods quickly release sugar into the bloodstream and dopamine, giving you a quick feeling of happiness. This feeling doesn’t last. It can also lead to guilt and disappointment, especially if you’re trying to be good or achieve a particular health goal.
We need to have a steady flow of neurotransmitters and hormones in our bodies to achieve inner happiness. The body produces these hormones and neurotransmitters.
- protein
- Healthy fats
- Complex carbohydrates
These nutrients must be available in a steady, healthy supply.
Eating for hormone balance
Are you tired, irritable or have a foggy mind? Hormonal imbalance can cause this (to name just a few):
- restrictive diets
- peri-menopause
- stress
Gut health plays a vital role in balancing happy hormones. You don’t eat what you eat; you absorb what you ingest! Two things can go wrong with poor gut health:
- Your body will not be able to absorb nutrients through the lining of your stomach.
- A sluggish stomach will allow your body to absorb what it was supposed to eliminate, even if your body is trying out excess hormones such as estrogen.
Why should you eat to find happiness?
Recently, I researched to find out what women’s top health goals were. The biggest problem for women was not losing a few pounds, but they wanted to lose some weight.
- Energy deficiency
- Wanting to be happy
As we age (I am fast approaching 48), we begin to consider our mortality. Perhaps a family member or friend has died too young. Or we may be caring for an elderly relative and realize that our greatest asset is our health.
There are many dimensions to health. Malnutrition can lead to hormone imbalances and diseases in people who live in smaller or larger bodies.
The body is composed of many parts:
- Bone
- Muscle
- fluids
- tissues/cells
- Fat
While people who have been eating well for a long time may feel satisfied with their weight, this could lead to a decline in bone density and an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
Weight-loss eating
Weight loss is far more than energy in and energy out. And don’t get me started about archaic metrics like BMI, which was created by a male mathematician almost 200 years ago. This equation has not changed over the last 200 years. Humans have progressed in the past 200 years. Malnourishment can make you look thin or even fat.
Although we may have a goal of achieving a certain weight, if our bodies don’t agree with us, it will decrease our metabolism and store the energy that it needs.
Our body will need to create new cells and hormones to repair and replace damaged and worn-out cells. If we achieve our weight goal, our muscles and bones (including our teeth) will provide the fuel they require to reach it.
Eating for happiness
Eating for happiness is for your body, not against it. We place importance on nutrition.
Nourishment helps keep our bodies healthy, balanced, and focused. It makes us happy and content. It makes us feel happy and content.
Our bodies can achieve their natural balance if not trying to survive. You will enjoy the optimal weight and optimal overall health.
What do you eat to find happiness?
Join my 6-day eat for joy challenge, which begins Monday 16th May. A complete meal plan, workbook, and simple daily lessons will be provided to help you design a plan that suits your life and get started on your journey to happiness.
