The Intimate Relationship Between Humans and Snacks
The intimate relationship between humans and snacks may have existed thousands of years ago, as archaeological evidence suggests that after a tribe finished carving up an entire animal, the scattered bones would be sucked on and gnawed by some clever individuals. The remains of undigested melon seeds were also found in the stomach and intestines of a Han Dynasty noblewoman unearthed from the Han tomb at Mawangdui in Changsha. This shows that our ancestors were already enjoying the various pleasant experiences brought by snacks a long time ago.
Time flies, and with the advancement of technology, the development of snacks has changed in content, form, flavor, and even function. As a result, people are paying more and more attention to snacks. Psychologists point out that "humans have an innate need to suck," which is why men love to smoke and women love to eat snacks; while health experts will also point out that snack dependence is harmful to health. Thus, our relationship with snacks is sometimes intimate and sometimes at odds. So, how can we find a balance that can both please the mood and be beneficial to health?
When Snacks Become a Stress-Relief Tool
There is a rather amusing multiple-choice question that explains why women love to eat snacks: Option one, "Snacks are a tool for women to vent their emotions. For example, those emotional creatures, when feeling depressed, lie lazily in bed, holding a book in one hand and a preserved plum in the other. By the time they finish the book, the plum pits are all over the floor, and the depression has vanished without a trace." Option two, "Snacks are a carrier for a certain mood of women. For example, when they are excitedly expressing themselves, they are often accompanied by the action of stuffing potato chips into their mouths. As their speech speed increases, their actions of stuffing and chewing also speed up. When they get to the key point with great excitement, their mouths are often overwhelmed, and then they return to a state of calm."
The relationship between women and snacks is thus perfectly described. The charm and pitiful nature of women, and the self-sacrificing spirit of snacks, although biased towards the emotional, hit the nail on the head. Psychologists believe that in nature, the mechanism of eating snacks is the same as that of self-soothing behavior. The purpose of eating snacks is not only to satisfy the hunger of the stomach, but also to relieve tension and eliminate internal conflicts. When food comes into contact with the skin of the mouth, on the one hand, it can transmit sensory information to the brain's central nervous system through the skin's nerves to produce a sense of comfort, allowing people to eliminate inner loneliness through contact with external objects; on the other hand, when the mouth contacts food and performs chewing and swallowing movements, it can shift the focus of tension and anxiety. Another excitement point is generated in the brain's feeding center, which inhibits the tense excitement area, and ultimately relaxes the body and mind. In addition, when couples, friends, and colleagues get together, eating snacks as an "accompaniment" also helps to lubricate interpersonal relationships, harmonize feelings, and create a harmonious atmosphere.
Snacks and a Dangerous Relationship
Everything has two sides, and this is no exception in our relationship with snacks. Tan Yan, a senior nutritionist at a health institution, believes that "snacks can be said to have two most fatal flaws: one is that they cause obesity and aging, and the other is malnutrition." Many snacks can cause people to gain weight. Some people consciously or unconsciously overeat, such as sweets, milk, eggs, melon seeds, fruits, chocolate, ice cream, etc., which greatly increases the calories intake from food beyond the body's needs for growth and activity. The excess calories are converted into fat and stored in fat cells, promoting fat cell enlargement. Over time, a large amount of fat accumulates, leading to obesity.
Tan Yan gave the reporter an example: eating melon seeds, soft-centered candies, squid strips, potato chips, happily eating and drinking. How many calories have you actually eaten? The number might shock you. The most common melon seeds, 150 of them, are equal to eating a tablespoon of oil; 5 pieces of nougat, a bag of squid strips, the calorie content is equivalent to a bowl of white rice; and potato chips are even more terrifying, one can is equal to 1000 kcal. Tan Yan told the reporter that if you eat a lot of snacks and your regular meals are not on a fixed schedule, your weight can increase in a very short period of time. Moreover, this accumulation of calories is all in the abdomen, and it might not be so easy to get rid of it. Therefore, when eating snacks, it's best to stop in time and not overdo it, so as not to worry about gaining weight.
Another danger of eating snacks is causing malnutrition. Because most of the snacks we usually eat lack vitamins and minerals, they are called junk food. Not only that, snacks also consume vitamin B in our bodies to burn the sugar we eat. As the amount of vitamins in the body gradually decreases, it can make people nervous, irritable, and mentally unfocused, with reduced energy and insomnia. At the same time, snacks prevent us from absorbing normal nutrients. It is said that Clinton loves to eat popcorn, but popcorn contains a relatively high amount of lead, this harmful heavy metal can affect children's intelligence and physical development, and damage the nervous function of adults.
Eating Snacks Requires Thought
Snacks can relieve stress, but experts say they are not very good for your health. However, as long as you put a little thought into it, you can have both the "fish" and the "bear's paw."
Senior nutritionist Tan Yan suggests that some common foods such as soy products, yogurt, fish fillets, and nuts can be eaten.
Soybeans are one of the best health foods for women. Soy isoflavones are a type of plant estrogen that is natural, safe, and selective. They can exert estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity according to the hormone status in the human body. For those with low estrogen levels, it shows estrogenic activity, which can supplement the lack of estrogen in the body and improve the symptoms of menopausal syndrome caused by the decline of estrogen levels. For those with high estrogen levels, it can compete with estrogen receptors in the body, reduce the adverse effects caused by excessive estrogen, and reduce the incidence of related cancers such as breast cancer and endometrial cancer caused by excessively high estrogen levels.
Yogurt is rich in high-quality protein, various vitamins and minerals, and is the best source of natural calcium. The digestibility and absorption rate of calcium in yogurt are relatively high. The nutritional components of yogurt are similar to those of fresh milk, but about 30% of the lactose is decomposed. Therefore, for some people who get an upset stomach after drinking milk, yogurt can be used as a substitute to supplement nutrition. Yogurt can also increase the acidity in the stomach, enhance the activity of gastric digestive enzymes, and inhibit the growth of E. coli in the intestines.
Nut snacks such as peanuts, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, soybeans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., contain components such as carotene and superoxide dismutase. They can prevent cerebrovascular diseases and protect the brain, ensure blood flow to the brain, and maintain the health and excitement of the brain. In addition, nuts are generally rich in vitamins B and E, as well as minerals and trace elements, especially zinc. Zinc deficiency in the human body can cause the skin to wrinkle quickly. Eating seed foods regularly can make the skin smooth and delicate. However, the fat content in nuts is too high, and the energy is also relatively high. If consumed in excess, there is a risk of gaining weight.
"And some snacks are absolutely not to be touched," Tan said. "For example, potato chips, jelly, preserved fruits, dried meat, biscuits, popcorn, ice cream, and barbecue foods." These foods are either fried or high in fat and sugar, and some also contain carcinogenic ingredients. They often irritate the skin, making it difficult to maintain a good condition, cause obesity, and even induce diseases.
TIPS Snack Decoding1. Seaweed
Seaweed is not high in calories, but it is high in sodium and iodine ions. People with poor kidney function, who are prone to edema, or with hyperthyroidism should be careful when eating it. It is best to choose those with less seasoning. The problem with seaweed is that it is too salty and oily. As long as you choose one that is completely free of additives and unseasoned, but currently, truly unseasoned ones are rarely seen.
Advantages: Low in calories, can supplement sodium and iodine ions
Pitfalls: Too oily, too salty 2. Dried Fruits
Such as raisins, cranberries. In addition to supplementing fiber, dried fruit snacks can also benefit from the fruit itself, such as the iron in raisins and the anthocyanins in cranberries. However, dried fruits cannot supplement vitamin C, because vitamin C has long been destroyed during the drying process. Therefore, the nutrients obtained are still not the same as eating fresh fruits.
Advantages: High in fiber content
Pitfalls: High in calories, contains pigments, preservatives, and saccharin 3. Nuts
Most people's impression of nuts is that they are oily and high in calories, and people who are losing weight must avoid them. But for those without weight concerns, it is a good source of protein. Its oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, which can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
However, consuming too much can easily lead to weight gain and acne. The recommended daily intake of oils and fats is 2 servings per person. One serving is about 1 teaspoon (5g), which is equal to 10 peanuts, 5 almonds, 2 walnut halves, or 40 to 50 sesame seeds. If you really want to eat them, pour a certain amount into a plate and eat only that amount. Don't overeat unconsciously.
Advantages: Supplement protein, contain unsaturated fatty acids
Pitfalls: High in oil and calories, easy to overeat 4. High-Fiber Foods
Such as high-fiber coconut jelly, high-fiber biscuits. Nutritionists remind everyone that high-fiber does not mean low in calories. Taking whole wheat bread and white bread as an example, one slice of ordinary toast is 1 serving of staple food, with 75 calories. One slice of whole wheat toast is also 75 calories. The difference is only that whole wheat bread contains a higher fiber content. In addition, the texture of high-fiber bread is relatively dry, and usually a little more oil is added to lubricate the texture.
Advantages: Supplement fiber, aid digestion
Pitfalls: Fiber content may not be high, high-fiber does not equal low in calories