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Irritable Life Syndrome - Practical Nutrition

By Paul Lubicz "The Wellbeing Manager"

Your Nutrition Questionnaire

Do you eat while doing a million other things (working, watching TV, reading the paper, or feeding the children)?

Do you drink more than two cups of coffee a day?

Do you eat enough raw unprocessed foods?

Listen up people - one of the biggest reasons for bad moods is that you're not eating in the right way. One of the major causes for irritablility is LOW BLOOD SUGAR!

Eating steadily, all day long will balance your blood sugar and give you regulated energy throughout the day. That means no afternoon slumps (and no urge to reach for a chocolate bar). Believe it or not - skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your body.

Without boring you with too much scientific nonsense - when you're hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. That causes light-headedness, cravings, shortened attention span, fatigue and yes - very often grumpiness and snappy behaviour!

Skipping breakfast is particularly bad, as it is a sure fire way to GAIN, not lose, weight. If you start each morning with a good breakfast and "graze" healthily every two to four hours (that means eating things like nuts and seeds - not family packs of crisps!), your "metabolic flame" will burn evenly all day and your blood sugar won't take any sharp dips. As a result you'll feel more rested and energetic.

Other contributing factors in low mood for example can be deficiency in nutrients such as the B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and essential fats. From a physical perspective, underlying causes of low or unstable moods may include anything from low thyroid, toxic metal contamination to an inability to maintain blood sugar balance.

And I shouldn't need to tell you this - but drink plenty of water. In the same way that we water the plants, it's important to keep yourself well hydrated. Not only will this clear you skin and prevent bloating - it will help you avoid headaches and keep you alert.

Here are some great tips and advice to avoid low blood sugar and for maximum vitamins and minerals in you diet.

Sorry folks - there's no getting out of it - snacks and desserts should be sugar-free where possible. But that doesn't mean they can't be sweet. Sweeten your palate with the more complex fruits such as - peaches, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, plums, strawberries, apricots (and dried), figs, apple, banana, pineapple (fresh), cherries, orange (not juice), melon and watermelon.

Always scan the ingredients. If a label has an enormous list of ingredients (half of which sound like something from a science lab), do NOT buy it. It will be over processed and lacking in nutrients that you need to maintain good blood sugar balance.

The best complex vegetable choices are bean sprouts, beetroot, white & red cabbage, pak choi, Chinese greens, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms, peas, courgette, broccoli & other green vegetables, squash & other yellow veggies. These foods are particularly good for balancing blood sugar and providing brain nutrients.

Some General Healthy Food Shopping Tips

• Buy only real, whole food, and eliminate refined, processed, or genetically modified food, shop in the Fruit and Veg section

• Buy local and seasonal food whenever possible.

• Buy organic produce whenever possible.

• Avoid additives such as artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

• Buy animal products from farms that raise them humanely.