I think whenever my to-do list is a mile long, the hours tick by like minutes… not that I’m complaining!
When I finally looked up from my desk this morning, it was 1 p.m.
Time for lunch!
My lunchtime salad was veggie-packed:
- Artichoke hearts
- Edamame
- Sweet corn
- Zucchini
- Eat Smart broccoli slaw
- Shoestring carrots
- Kraft light Asian toasted sesame dressing
Note to lettuce haters: Try making your salad on a bed of broccoli slaw. It’s crunchier, heartier and more flavorful than typical iceberg or romaine lettuce.
I definitely felt the “veggie high” after eating this salad.
Does anyone else get a “veggie high” after eating inordinate amounts of vegetables?
I feel more awake, alive and even rejuvenated after downing a massive salad or a plate full of roasted vegetables. It’s probably all in my head, but it sure beats the “ice cream low” that I seem to experience about 30 minutes after eating a huge bowl of ice cream… not that the “low” ever prevents me from eating it. 😉
Question of the Afternoon
Does eating certain foods make you feel different?
What I eat definitely affects how I feel. I am all to familiar with the sugar coma.
Heather says
i can definitely tell a difference when i eat something that’s good for me vs. not. MUCH more energy, no crash, and i feel good! enough reason to eat well right there 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I always can tell a difference. If I eat something carb heavy I’m in a carb coma within 30 minutes!
MJ says
Salad looks amazing. I love Broccoli Slaw in my salads too. I do find I feel more energy from healthy foods and more sluggish after “junk” food/ fast-food.
Elise says
I can definitely tell when I don’t get enough protein/fiber in the morning. I’m constantly hungry, all day long (eugh). And by about 4pm I either want to eat a cow, or everything in my fridge. Whichever is more convenient.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
YES I definitely feel SO much better after eating a ton of veggies! Like you said, I’ve experienced the sugar coma too and I can’t stand it! My body literally starts shaking and I get all headache-y, then super tired. Thankfully, knowing that sugary foods will have this effect means I don’t go near them very often. 🙂
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Food definitely affects my mood! the best is being REALLY hungry and filling up with a LOT of healthy food. I feel energized, full and happy!!
Mindfully Emily says
I can definitely agree with the veggie high feeling!! My lunch today was a Zucchini Herb Hummus atop a salad with some tofu and it was crazy the difference in energy after eating such a green meal! But the sweets always do have a bit of a hold on me..
Angela says
You make me want to eat more veggies 🙂
Debby says
I have sugar coma a lot that’s why I tend not to do too much baking (although I absolutely love to)
Lisa says
I totally know what you mean about getting that sugar crash 30 minutes after you eat something sweet like icecream! It just makes you so tired-but when you eat healthy stuff your energy soars. Sometimes the sweeet stuff is hard to resist but it helps to think of how you really would rather feel afterwards! Salad looks good! Love love love artichoke hearts!
Katie says
Oh yes! I find when I eat nutrient dense foods, I not only have more energy, but my skin glows and I’m much happier. When I eat high sugar, high fat foods, or even if I go a day without veggies or fruits, I have low energy and feel “down”. That’s why I love starting my day off with a smoothie with spinach, bananas, peaches, and almond milk! 🙂
Kristy at kristyruns.com says
I love the crunch edamame adds to salads! I always feel great after eating a siab or green monster! 🙂
gingerbreadcake says
Mmm your lunch looks tasty. I still have to try that dressing, it sounds so good! YUM! 🙂
cara says
i love the broccoli slaw idea. Might have to try this next week. mmm.
Amber K says
I definitely have felt the lows of eating too much sugar.
But I eat veggies constantly and I have never experienced this “veggie high” is it like that elusive “runner’s high” that I have also never fetl?
Amber K says
or felt? lol
Angela says
I definitely notice a difference when I eat certain foods – if I’m eating too much protein my system feels clogged. If I’m eating too many refined carbs I’m super sluggish. Anything creamy just leaves me feeling weighed down and a little sick. But that’s when I go overboard, in moderation they’re okay.
Chicago Cuisine Critique says
There is a definite difference, however sometimes i’m not going to lie I am sometimes Ok with knowing that i’m going to experience some type of coma from delicious treats. There of course is a time and place for it.
lowandbhold says
That’s why I have a green monster for bfast every morning, it gives me a rush!
Ah yes, the ice cream low. Unfortunate, but so worth it 🙂
Bee Goes Bananas says
I’m starting to listen to my body more and that includes knowing what it wants and how it reacts to certain foods. Carb rich meals fill me up, but they leave me feeling sleepy and almost too full. Protein gives me a lasting fullness without the sleepy full feeling. Veggies definately give me an energy kick and they make me feel healthier. It’s probably in my head, but I feel like I can avoid every illness in the world after eating a meal full of colourful veggies!
jamela224 says
i know the ice-cream low, (pretty sure its a result of the sugar high then CRASH)–not so much a veggie high. hmm…
kristy @ ksayerphotography says
I always crave vegetables or apples when I’m feeling sick – the freshness seems to make me feel instantly better. Odd.
kitkat1126 says
I find that oatmeal with cinnamon in the morning for whatever reasons keeps me full and AWAKE. (Although that could tie into my coffee drinking 😉 ) But I have heard that cinnamon helps keep your blood sugar levels even.
While I love fruit for snacks I find that if I just have a piece of fruit in the afternoon it really perks me up for about half hour then I crash hard. Pairing it with a veggie, pb or string cheese seems to ward the crash off.
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
Fried food makes me tired and S-L-O-W.
Jenna says
Pasta gives me a slow feeling. It is always very heavy in my stomach.
Vanessa says
Yes! I love how good my intestines feel after a dinner of roasted veggies with olive oil and salt.
Embarrassing question but does broccoli slaw give you… gas? :”)
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
I totally get the veggie high! Is broccoli slaw just shredded broc, or are there other veggies in there as well?
kaitlinwithhoney says
Thank you so much for the broccoli slaw idea! I really dislike lettuce and always find myself eating around it in salads… this is a great idea that I will have to try!
Sara says
Broccoli slaw is amazing! I love that you can put dressing on it and it is still good the next day where regular cabbage cole slaw would be mushy and disgusting. My 2 year old and 5 year old love it!
Healthy Coconut says
I’ve never had broccoli in my salad but I like crunch in my salad so I want to try it. I add shredded cabbage in my salad.
These days, I can really tell the affect of white sugar in my body. I wake up feeling like I’ve been drinking all night. I’m thirsty and have a headache. But does it stop me from eating too much sugar?…sometimes 🙂
naomi(onefitfoodie) says
eating clean and low sodium makes me feel the best! when I have excess salt i feel blah and bloated!!
Sarah says
fried food always makes me feel yucky. 🙁 but sometimes it just tastes so good!
christina cadden says
I need to try artichoke hearts. They seem to be good!
Caitlin says
Broccoli slaw is one of my favorite salad ingredients, too!
I am far too familiar with the sugar coma, but it is hard to say no to sweet delights! Also wheat, dairy, and alcohol all make me feel like trash.
Aubrey says
Veggies definitely make me feel great! I mean, I tend to get more gurgle feelings in my stomach after eating a ton of them but im pretty sure it’s normal! And good for digestion;)
I tend to get a ton of energy whenever I eat the right amount of complex carbs or high fiber cereals. For example, whenever I eat GoLean Crunch, I am soooo energetic. I wonder if this means anything? Am I getting enough carbs? Hmmm.
Cassie says
I totally agree with the high and low! I ate a donut for breakfast this morning and felt really tired and sluggish, but usually I have cereal and granola and feel fine.