People seem blind to the effects their food choices have on their overall health. While most individuals understand that there are healthful and neglectful dietary choices, everyday life's chaos and uncertainty make such decisions an afterthought. People feel content in choosing work and life over meal planning and preparation, but the victim to such thinking ignores the health risks.
A common attribute of a busy life is the avoidance of larger balanced meals for impulsive snacking. While those with excellent impulse control may make wise snacking decisions, most of the population will turn to chips or other high caloric and low nutrient foods. While snack foods may satisfy your hunger pangs at the moment, they are slowly ruining your health in six ways.
1. Snacking Ruins Schedules
A significant aspect of a healthy and balanced life is a schedule. Think of your body and mind as a machine. Mechanical devices require standard operation and maintenance to maintain function. Your body uses food as fuel to run the organs and ensure you remain alert and focused. Tying your meals to a fixed schedule is a critical facet of routine operations. By skipping meals and using snacks to fill the gaps, your body cannot find equilibrium, which means that you will feel sluggish, even unwell. Find a schedule for balanced meals and stick to it.
2. Bad Carbs Affect Mood
Several fad diets had people believing that all carbs are bad, but that is not true. The body needs carbohydrates, which are a significant source of energy. What people do not need are unhealthy carbs found in greasy potato chips or white bread. However, that does not mean that you cannot enjoy a slice of bread. Whole grains, legumes, nuts and brown rice are all sources of good carbs, which you can enjoy in healthy portions.
Bad carbs, like potato chips and other snack foods, often result in heavy and tired feelings because the body has a hard time digesting foods with little nutritional value. Studies also suggest that too many bad carbs can make people irritable and moody.
3. Too Much Fat Affects Mood and Waistline
Snacking is made up of a lot of high fat, particularly saturated fat, foods. While these foods may fill you up at the moment, they do not have a lasting effect. Also, these foods add to your waistline and can lead to sluggishness. The chemical makeup of these products has also been linked to depression and dementia.
4. Drinks Can Contribute To Anxiety and Depression
Soda and coffee are popular choices for busy people. While caffeine is proven effective in boosting mood and energy in small doses, it can lead to the opposite when consumed in large quantities. Drinking too much cola or coffee can lead to chemical imbalances, resulting in bouts of anxiety and depression.
5. Food Choice Can Affect Attitude
How often do you consume foods high in omega-3 fatty acids? These fatty acids help balance mood, and when your diet does not contain enough from fish, like salmon, studies suggest it can alter your attitude, making you more pessimistic.
6. Neglecting Nutrients Leads To Health Problems
The primary problem with snacking is it results in poor nutrition. While snacks offer a temporary solution to hunger, they should never become a standard part of your diet, especially those high in sugar and saturated fats.
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