Tip of the Week: Feed your mood

Are you eating healthy but still feel sluggish? Change the order of your food selections. Foods high in carbohydrates, increase levels of the brain chemical called serotonin, which are known to improve your mood and can make you drowsy. On the other hand, high-protein foods like turkey, fish and yogurt trigger the release of the energizing brain chemicals dopamine and nor-epinephrine. If you know you crash after lunch, skip the heavy or high-carb mid day meal and eat a light, protein-rich lunch, such as tuna sandwich, fruit and soy milk instead. Then when you want to wind down at the end of the day, go for a carb dinner.