Men's Health: Sate Thyself
Sept. 1 -- Overwhelmed? Irritated? Can’t think straight? Tired of so many questions? You don’t need medication, you need to eat something. We have found the right foods for the right moments.
Monday, 9 a.m. Meeting
Certain foods, such as chocolate, taste so darn good that they stimulate the production of endorphins — chemicals your brain makes to relieve stress. Eat your favorite candy bar before a meeting or speech that will be over in an hour or less. If you need the effect to last longer, more sweet stuff won’t do the trick; the extra sugar will leave you feeling drained and sluggish. Instead, pair your snack with a bit of fat and protein — an 8-ounce low-fat yogurt, a pint of milk, or a small piece of cheese. Tip: The darker and richer the chocolate, the more endorphins your brain will produce.
Tuesday, Insane Afternoon
“Carbohydrates perform a simple trick: They enhance your brain’s uptake of the amino acid tryptophan,” says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., author of The Serotonin Solution. “Once it enters your brain, tryptophan is converted into serotonin, which makes you feel calmer and more at ease.” This carb-induced high will last roughly 3 hours, so eat a late lunch of carbs (head for the potato bar) to survive till quitting time. About 3 1/2 ounces of carbohydrates should do the trick. More will cause a serotonin overload that will leave you feeling lethargic. And mix those carbs with fruits and vegetables. You’ll need the vitamins and nutrients to continue producing serotonin.
Wednesday Workday From Hell
As you already know, stress can make you stupid. And what’s more stressful than not being able to think straight under pressure? Protein can help; it jump starts your brain’s production of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemicals that keep you attentive and alert. Because it takes roughly 2 hours for your body to break down protein, the best way to prepare for daylong stress is to start with a high-protein breakfast (eggs, hold the Benedict) and follow it up with a protein lunch (lean roast beef will do nicely) and a protein snack (a glass of milk or some low-fat jerky).
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