Have you been going on diets for a while now, only to realize that nothing is working for you? You simply cannot lose the weight you want to lose, and you’re constantly feeling kind of tired, easily stressed, and struggling with sugar cravings or energy crashes. Perhaps you have also noticed that you’re having difficulty sleeping, and you suspect it has to do with your diet and metabolism. Learn more about how to eat for more energy.
Well, if that is the case, you may identify with something that Frank Suarez described as sistema nervioso excitado, or an excited nervous system. This term refers to those people whose nervous systems tend to be more reactive, and especially to sugar, stimulants or refined carbohydrates. In the simplest words, this means that your system is running “high alert”, and that you have to do something with your diet in order to, well, calm it down.
This can definitely change the way you have been thinking about food. You are used to thinking that this and that is healthy and this and that is unhealthy, and that there is not much else to it. And, while we can all agree that vegetables are certainly healthier than, say, sweets and some refined snacks, there is no denying the fact that things are a bit more complicated than this. And that, of course, you have to dive a bit deeper into all of this in order to create the perfect diet plan for yourself, and especially so if you identify with that excited nervous system concept that Frank Suarez proposed to describe how your metabolism may be affected by certain foods if your system is in such a state of alert at all times.
So, as you may have guessed it, the main goal here is for you to, well, take your time to create a practical and sustainable diet plan that will calm and stabilize your metabolism. One that is designed specifically for a more reactive nervous system, such as yours. What we are going to do right now, thus, is talk in a bit more detail about how you can actually create the best plan for you.
Aim for Stability, Not Stimulation
Okay, we have to start with the obvious here. Since we are talking about an excited nervous system, there is no denying the fact that you will have to, well, find a way to well, stabilize it. This means that aggressive calorie cutting and extreme dieting is not right for you, as it tends to backfire and cause more stimulation, instead of stability. So, what you should aim at is stabilizing your blood sugar, which will reduce cravings, as explained by Frank Suarez and the diet plan he proposes. Furthermore, you should reduce any kind of nervous system stimulation, prevent cortisol spikes, and support consistent energy, meaning that you need a plan that can help you do all of that.
Here are some tips on how you can eat right to be happier: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/good_mood_food
Control Refined Carbohydrates
So, now that you know what your goal is, and your goal is stability, we have to move on towards explaining how you can actually achieve it. And well, there is no denying the fact that you should control refined carbohydrates, because it is a well-known fact that people with reactive nervous systems often struggle with sugar cravings, emotional eating, and energy crashes after high-carb meals. So, do your best to reduce sugary drinks, pastries, sweets, white breads, white rice, and processed snack foods. Of course, don’t eliminate all carbs, but instead choose those slow-digesting and fiber-rich ones whenever you can.
Prioritize Protein
Another thing you absolutely have to do when trying to create the perfect plan for your sistema nervioso excitado is, of course, do your best to prioritize protein in your meals. After all, it is critical in nervous system stability. It helps reduce hunger, slow carbohydrate absorption, preserve muscle mass, and support neurotransmitter production.
Reduce the Stimulants
Moving on, since you are dealing with a reactive nervous system and stability is the goal, it should be clear that reducing or eliminating stimulants is a good idea. So, you may like your coffee, but it may definitely be affecting you negatively, and you can notice it causing things like racing thoughts, anxiety, poor sleep, as well as midday crashes.
Don’t Skip Meals
Finally, you should never engage in extreme fasting or similar diets that make you skip meals. That can worsen stress hormone production in reactive individuals and cause you to feel irritable, shaky, and lightheaded, as well as to crave sugar. So, the idea here is for you not to skip meals and to, instead, have three balanced meals a day with some optional protein-rich snacks if needed. Of course, always monitor how you feel after eating certain foods, so that you can make adjustments when necessary.