Happier meals

We are what we eat. Sure, we've been hearing that since we were in grade school, but it's a health maxim that, for whatever reason, never really seemed to stick. For proof of this assertion, visit any 7-11 and count the number of Big Gulp purchases that are made in ten minutes.

There is an enormous amount of evidence to support the existence of a food/well-being connection. Some foods affect how we handle stress (such as blueberries, which have been shown to reduce cortisol levels), while others have a direct impact on our mood (such as fish, dark chocolate, and sunflower seeds). Others, like potassium-rich bananas, regulate blood pressure, while high-protein eggs help build strong muscles and almonds increase blood flow, thereby improving sexual function.

These are only a few examples of how we truly are a direct result of what foods we consume. With this in mind, then, maybe it's time we thought about renaming the "Happy Meal," since its high-fat, high-carb content can lead to a very unhappy level of cholesterol and blood sugar. Maybe doing so will help the youth of today to better understand what You Are What You Eat really means and will therefore influence their dietary decisions.

Like cognition-improving walnuts, it's some food for thought.