[Haruchunja] So That Mood Does Not Turn Into Appetite <5>

Editor's NoteLet's listen to what our body says after eating food. Just as we try out purchased products and leave reviews, we should evaluate how the food we eat affects us. Without closely observing the reactions in our body after eating, it is difficult to accurately discern the effects. Eating regularly at set times makes comparison easier. By recording what you eat and observing how you feel over time after eating, you can find your own balance and adjust accordingly, allowing you to enjoy both the pleasure of eating and a healthy body. Word count: 1039 characters.

Deciding what to eat based solely on whether it tastes good makes it difficult to choose healthy food. There are many foods that taste good but cause discomfort, such as foods that make your stomach feel bloated, cause swelling, or leave you hungry too quickly. Just as you carefully consider various factors before buying lipstick, you need to carefully examine multiple aspects to select good food.

These factors can affect each person differently. To know whether a food suits you well or not, you need to observe the reactions your body shows after eating it.

■ Are you overly full? = Some foods make it especially difficult to control portions, leading to overeating. If you notice that your stomach feels increasingly full after eating certain foods, remember this and try to adjust your intake to a comfortable level.

■ Is your stomach uncomfortable? = Some foods feel fine while eating but cause gas and bloating afterward. Since each person’s gastrointestinal environment and digestive enzyme secretion differ, if a food does not sit well with you, avoid it or identify and address any health issues. Pay close attention to symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, tightness, or gas.

■ Do you feel sluggish? = Severe post-meal drowsiness usually indicates excessive carbohydrate intake. If you feel weak and lethargic after eating, that food cannot be considered good.

■ Does your hunger return quickly? = The ideal interval between meals is 4 to 6 hours. Hunger may return quickly if the meal was insufficient in quantity or if the food causes rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar. Consuming adequate dietary fiber, fat, and protein helps maintain satiety for longer after eating.

■ Do you experience a drop in blood sugar? = Eating a lot of carbohydrates causes blood sugar to rise and then fall, leading to feelings of low blood sugar. Trying to immediately fix this by eating sweet foods creates a vicious cycle. Blood sugar temporarily rises and falls again, and the body increasingly depends on carbohydrate metabolism. If you frequently feel low blood sugar, you must reduce your intake of sweets and carbohydrates.

- Lee Yuju, <So That Mood Does Not Become Appetite>, Booktable, 18,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.