In A Bad Mood? Avoid These!

We know that some foods pick us up, moodwise, and other’s rob us of being in a good mood.

The foods aren’t necessarily “bad” but in the wrong amounts, can be harming us or causing mood swings. That’s good news, because what we eat is within our control!

Here’s the “Not Swell Twelve” (not in any particular order):

1. Caffeine - Most research says taht caffeine in small doses can pick you up with extra energy.  However, too much of it can wreak havoc on moods and sleep.  Some people have problems with headaches and caffeine  consumption.  Think twice about more than one cup of morning coffee and certainly avoid it in late afternoon or switch to de-caf.
2. Salt - If you’re eating lots of salty foods, you may feel bloated due to retained fluid.  Cramps could follow, and an all over “don’t feel good feeling.”
3. Alcohol - Oh, if the commercials were even half true.  We’d all drink beer and be young and beautiful.  However, the sobering truth is that alcohol is a depressant, which leads to aggressive behavior.  Funny drunks are more likely to be mean fight provoking drunks after a few  more drinks.  Not good.,
4. Sugar - You’re sweet enough, avoid it avoid it, avoid it.  Frostings and soft drinks are linked to causing mood fluctuations.  Quick highs are ahead of bad lows.  Drop the doughnut and go for an apple or banana instead.
5. Aspartame - Probably as bad as real sugar, recent research indicates.  Nutrasweet, first thought to be the answer to sugar free foods, is now linked to some pretty serious conditions such as memory loss, arthritis, and migraines.
6. Tyramine - Do you take MAO inhibitors? (anti-depressants)  I just read in a report that aged cheeses, processed meats like salami or pepperoni and lunch meats, red wine, bananas and even chickenlivers contain tyramine.  They can trigger heaches by making blood vessels in your brain expand. 
7. Omega-6 – This essential fatty acid causes us trouble because we get too much of it.  It’s everywhere, especially in our cooking oils.  If you have too much Omega6, youmight suffer from unexplained headaches, depression and other problems.  Limiting soybean oils, corn oils, margarine and deep-fried anything will help.  Watch out for processed foods as well.  Buy it fresh and make it from scratch.
8. Arginine - Those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, the amino acid lysine is going to provide some relief.  foods to avoid that contain arginine are chocolate, nuts, raisins, whole wehat, and brown rice, which undo the good work of lysine.
9. Gas-producing foods -  Beans, broccoli, cabbage, and carbonated drinks are on the list of foods that will make you feel bloated and gassy.  However, you can combat and alleviate some of these symptoms with walking and mild exercise.  These foods have enormous health benefits.
10. Acidic foods - Oranges, grapefruit, and tomatoes can cause heartburn, or gastritis.  However, as with all foods, the good things in these foods could outweigh the bad, you and your physician make the choice.
11. Fatty foods - High fat meals divert blood from your brain to hep with digestion.  What follow is sluggishness and high levels of depression due to the heavy dose of triglycerides from fats.
12. Preservatives or additives – Corn syrup or artificial food colorings just to name a few additives actually take away from your brain’s performance.  Read lables and go natural or fresh on food choices.

You can see, that eating is not always a simple thing.  Information is valuable and so is how you use it.  Strive for balance, right down what you eat for a few weeks, and see how your symptoms of fatigue behave.  Changing combinations of foods is always available to you.  There are lots of “feel good” foods from which to choose, so don’t let the Not Swell Twelve slow you down on your quest for energy and health!