Dessert Can Make You Happy

Endorphins are the natural hormones that block pain and create a sense of pleasure. They are produced in response to your sensory stimuli. Many factors can trigger its release like trauma, exercise, starvation or other forms of stress. If you ever found pleasure while eating a creme-filled chocolate cupcake, you know they are also released from what you eat.

Desserts Trigger Endorphins Release (Temporary)

Studies have shown that there are three dietary triggers that directly lead to the release of endorphins, fats, sugars and phenylethylamine. Desserts are perhaps the highest contributor of fat and sugar in a meal, and phenylethylamine is found in chocolate, another common ingredient used for desserts. A big mouthful of birthday cake will trigger your brain to release of endorphins, giving you a moment of euphoria.

 The Bad News

A jigh fat diet Increases the Demand for Endorphins. Binging on fats and sugars can do more damage to your body than just make you obese. A steady, high intake of fats and sugars will actually cause a physiological change in your nerve receptors, making them less receptive to endorphins. If you're eating cookies and cakes every day it's not a treat. ITS A HABIT.

Though desserts can definitely give you an instant gratification, you cannot continue eating chocolate cakes to keep your endorphins high. Fortunately, there are many healthier ways to help you feeling good.

• Exercise: Regular regimens of exercises is the most effective way to increase endorphins release. Long periods of strenuous exercises can profoundly trigger an over production and release of endorphins into your system. The “runner’s high” will continue to last for several hours after the exercise, enabling you to maintain your sense of invigoration.
• De-Stress: Meditate, listen to your favorite beats, get a 10 minute massage or simply take some deep breaths to help you relax. 
• Healthy Diet: Carbohydrates and proteins are essential in serotonin production, which help regulate your appetite, sleep and muscle contractions as well as your mood. Good fats, like omega-3 fatty acid from fish and nuts, are great alternatives for those saturated fats found in desserts. Not only can they provide your body with what it needs to produce endorphins, they also help you maintain proper cardiovascular function. 

If you just can't beat that craving here are some Smart Swaps to help:

Cookies = a bowl of oatmeal with Spledna and a tsp of flavored coffee creamer

Ice Cream= Artcic Zero, Breyers low carb, smart ones

Milk Shakes= Whey Protein Shake made with Coconut Milk

Sugar Free Jello With Whipped Cream

Diet Hot Choolate (SwissMiss)

1/2 Cup of dry cinnamon toast crunch (whole grain & 8 Grams of Sugar)

fruit topped with truvia