Protein snacks energize you by releasing certain amino acids that heighten your moods. Amino acids affect neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, which regulate emotional and physical responses. Although protein helps boost your alertness and activity, it may interfere with the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that relaxes you. During times of anxiety, you may need foods or snacks that provide you with a sense of calm.
Amino Acids
When your body digests foods, proteins break down into amino acids that enter the bloodstream. From there, they travel to the brain to help manufacture neurotransmitters. The types of amino acids that make it to the brain determine your moods. Protein releases the amino acid tyrosine, which increases the production of dopamine and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters enhance your levels of mental alertness and energy, according to Middle Tennessee State University.
High Protein
High-protein foods include meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. People active in sports or activities involving mental tasks may choose to snack on protein snack bars or shakes, peanut butter items, beef jerky, cottage cheese, cheese crackers or even protein cakes and puddings. These types of snacks will help you when you need that energy boost.
Intensify Anxiety
Protein snacks may intensify feelings of anxiety, such as nervousness and agitation. Anxiety often results from stress. If you already feel stressed out, too many protein snacks could aggravate symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety can also lead to sweating, trembling, weakness and even stomach disorders.
Carbohydrates
Eating more carbohydrate-rich foods helps relax you when dealing with anxiety. Carbohydrates trigger the release of insulin into the bloodstream, Psych Central explains. Insulin clears away amino acids, but leaves the amino acid tryptophan alone. The other amino acids normally crowd out tryptophan. When tryptophan makes it to the brain it converts to serotonin. The process brings on the calming effects needed to relieve anxiety. Carbohydrates come from whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Balance
Eating the right snacks may depend on your moods or the feelings you desire. If you need to concentrate on physical or mental tasks, protein snacks help you through it. Carbohydrate snacks work better when you feel too tensed and may relieve anxiety. Too many carbohydrates, however, may make you feel tired. You may want to combine carbohydrates with protein snacks to balance out the energetic and calming effects at times. Peanut butter on whole-grain bread, yogurt or cottage cheese and fruit or a bowl of oatmeal provide protein and carbohydrates.
