The Science Behind Food

Have you ever wondered why buying your favourite chocolate bar gives you an extra boost of happiness? Also, why do you feel more energetic and optimistic when eating clean? Throughout this section we will unfold the truth about food and why it is so important to make the right choices.

It is true that cravings satisfy the brain and, in some way, provide comfort and happiness even at a psychological level. Whenever we feel secure or pleased our brain releases oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety levels and evokes feelings such as calmness and positivity. Moreover, this hormone is also responsible for acting on your body when you fall in love. This may be with someone or even with one of the recipes here at The Art of Looking After Yourself, you never know (never underestimate the power of love at first sight).

However, it is quite evident that even if it makes us happy, we can not live out of Mars bars for the rest of our lives. We also need to keep in mind the type of nutrients every food provides us with. Therefore, for our bodies to work at its best, they will need the best food we can supply them. I do not mean your favourite and most expensive Chinese meal from around the corner, but rather an adequate balance of the good old essential nutrients.

Top tips to maintaining a happy and balanced diet:

Planning and balancing our diet will give you infinite benefits such as maintaining a good health, keeping control of your weight and preventing both chronic (eg. diabetes, cancer, depression) and short-term diseases (eg. flu, our new friend Covid-19).

1. Avoid sugar as much as possible

Just as alcohol, sugar is an empty calorie. This means that it supplies you with calories but with no real or beneficial nutrients. Therefore, anything that contains sugar will be nothing but negative for our bodies. In fact, studies have shown that the human brain can develop certain dependency on sugar if taken regularly, just like it happens with some drugs. Alternatives such as sucralose may be helpful when craving sweet bites. However, if diabetic you should stay away from all types of sugar and its derivatives.

2. Stay hydrated

It is very important that we drink the required amount of water per day. Around 65% of our bodies are purely made up of H20. It helps the normal functioning of vital activities in your organism, including the digestion of food, regulating your temperature and getting rid of wastes. If you are that type of person who thinks that can live out of doing the photosynthesis like a plant instead of drinking up more water, I would suggest you grab yourself a water bottle and take it anywhere you go.

3. Find healthy alternatives that suit your taste buds

Whenever we think about healthy food, most of us immediately picture a green scenario with lots of veggies, fruits and leaves. Not far from reality, all of these choices are surely welcomed by our organisms. However, there are infinite combinations where we can skip eating 'green' and still be nurturing our bodies properly.

Discover these low-sugar and still tasty alternatives to the classic recipes we all know.

DISCOVER MY RECIPES

Are you a brownie fanatic?

Why don't you try to make your own Protein Brownies at home!

Craving pancakes? 

Give these delicious and healthy Apple Pancakes a try!

International food lover?

This Fajitas recipe will be your new go-to!

Download and take it with you...