How would you like to snack your way to weight loss, on carbs, no less? Your response might be, "Are you kidding?" Drs. Judith Wurtman and Nina Marquis are not kidding; snacking is an integral part of The Serotonin Power Diet. Before you get excited, though, the snacks are pretty uninteresting, at least at first. (Rice cakes, anyone?) And this diet depends on good old approaches like portion control, low-fat food, and exercising. There is no magic bullet.
The idea behind the diet is that when our brains are not making enough serotonin, the neurotransmitter made famous by Prozac's effect on it, we crave carbohydrates and can't control our appetites. Why would that be? Because brain chemistry, rather than the stomach, tells us when to stop eating. Serotonin also plays a role in mood regulation, and when we have enough, we are content and calm. Hence "comfort food" has a biochemical basis as well as an emotional one.
The key to managing serotonin requirements is how we eat. Serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan. According to the book, when carbs are eaten with protein, tryptophan has to compete with other amino acids in order to pass the blood-brain barrier. When carbs are eaten alone, the other amino acids clear the blood more quickly, allowing more of the slow-poke tryptophan to reach the brain and the brain to make serotonin. Hence, you feel better.
All this translates into snacking on carbs that are not high in calories in order to control cravings, and modifying how much protein you take in to promote tryptophan production. The snacks are prescribed as to type, amount, and timing. In the first two weeks of the diet there are three snacks a day and no protein is consumed at dinner. In the second phase, two snacks and some protein at dinner are allowed. In the third phase, one snack and more protein at dinner. Along with the food regime comes exercise, which is just as important. So, yes, you can snack, but you also have to get off your butt. A lot.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
2 - tonetj27
Today is my first day on the Serotonin Power Diet and for a person who craves cookies and other sweets constantly, it has worked so far for me. I think it will work for a while because usually with a new diet, on the first day I can tell whether or not I will stick with it. I like it because I am eating at set times and it encourages fruit, lots of veggies, and carbs. I can also lift weights on this diet which is great. Many low fat diets tell you not to lift weight because the scale wont go down and you would become discouraged and give up.I will stay with this diet as long as it works for me
3 - delora
Thanks for the great book review. The Serotonin Power Diet sounds like something I will be picking up. I’m looking forward to reading a lot more of your site in the future.