Happy Meals

Hey All:


Since I am on a nutrition kick these days, I feel it is only appropriate to talk about fast food.  I know you are totally aware that fast food is bad for you, bad for me, and bad for society.  So, why do we keep going through the drive thru?  Why is it okay to feed our kids fast food just because it's the "only" thing they will eat? I'm sure all of us have an excuse...and they are probably pretty good because hey, the fast food joints are still in business right?


Well, it might not be completely our faults.  Although we have to take on some responsibility for our choices, and we must admit that we are the ones actually walking into a fast food place and ordering the 1,200 calorie dinner, I am here to tell you that your choice may have been skewed.   According to Tom Philpott on Grist.org, the fast food industry spent a total of 4.2 BILLION dollars on marketing in 2010.  $4.2 Billion!!  Just to put that into perspective, the USDA spends about $6.5 million promoting healthy eating in the USA.  So, for every dollar the fast food industry spends on bringing customers in, the government spends 1/10th of a PENNY educating people about healthy eating.  No wonder we are the most overweight nation in the world.

The largest portion of this money goes toward marketing to children and teenagers.  Hence, the Happy Meal. I know the Happy Meal is just a marketing ploy to get kids to ask their parents to go to McDonald's, not just because of the name, but because they also get a cool toy included in their meal!  To be honest, the toy is probably the only thing "happy" about the Happy Meal.  The chicken nugget happy meal with the small fries and milk at McDonald's has a total of 520 calories, 26 grams of saturated fat, and 650 grams of sodium.  That is WAY more than the average ADULT should be eating for a meal calorie wise, not to mention the fat and sodium intake is too much for a single day...let alone a single meal.


That got me thinking, what are the true "happy meals" in our diets?  What kind of food should we eat to be happier?  It's obviously not the Happy Meal from McDonald's.  That would make you feel that guilt that we talked about the other day, and therefore unhappy.  The best mood boosting foods (according to bettyconfidential.com) are the following:

Tryptophan-Rich Foods:

Tryptophan is one of the ten essential amino acids and helps our brains produce serotonin, which makes us feel relaxed and in control. Food that has tryptophan can help fight depression, insomnia and anxiety. Foods containing tryptophan include:

-Milk (Vegan? Drink hemp milk- hemp seeds contain all ten essential amino acids!)
-Cashews
-Sunflower Seeds
-Pumpkin Seeds
-Bananas
-Avocados

For the full effect of tryptophan, it is best to eat these items uncooked.

Fruits rich in Antioxidants & Vitamin C:

Fruit like blueberries and oranges are known to contain a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin C, both are helpful for reducing feelings of stress.

Vegetables Rich in Antioxidants & Folic Acid:

Spinach, broccoli and kale are full of folic acid which help produce serotonin (just like tryptophan does).

Chocolate:

Contains anadamine, a chemical naturally found in the brain that is known to brighten our mood and make us feel happier. Enjoy in moderation as the sugar in chocolate might contribute to other issues.

Nuts:

Nuts are rich in minerals, protein and omega-3 fats. Omega-3 is not only good for both your heart and brain, large doses of it have been used to treat clinical depression. Nuts also contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that combats stress. Brazilian nuts such as cashews, almonds and pistachios have been proven to lower blood pressure and calm our nervous system.

So, if you're feeling a little moody, down, depressed, lethargic, or sad today...don't think that just running through the drive-thru on your way home will relieve your stress.  We all know that doing so might make you feel better at first, but the guilt you feel later is much worse.  Instead, turn to one of these mood-boosting foods!  You will most definitely feel better physically and mentally....and as a result...happier :)

Thanks for visiting...and as always, have a blessed day :)