North Lake Tahoe Bonanza:   Are you feeling tired or sluggish? Maybe even anxious? You might think it is the result of skiing all day or getting ready for an important interview but one of the culprits could be your food choices that are having an effect on your lifestyle.

Your food choices not only affect how healthy you are physically, but also mentally. Specific foods directly affect brain chemicals so if you are not making the right choices, your mood will be affected.

If you feel tired after lunch, then it could be the result of eating a high calorie lunch with lots of carbohydrates that makes you feel lazy and sleepy. Eating carbohydrates produces levels of serotonin, known for a relaxing effect, so instead choose a high protein lunch to get you through the day.

Beans, lean meat and cheese will increase your concentration and alertness. These high protein foods, as well as milk and leafy greens will increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Foods with higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine will produce alertness, faster reaction times, and an increased ability to concentrate.

However, if it is anxiety that is affecting you, then choose the carbohydrates since they contain levels of serotonin which will help ease the anxiety.

Another mood that can be altered by different food choices is the common bad mood. Hostility, grumpiness, anger can be the result of low levels of selenium. Selenium is found in sunflower seeds, whole grain cereals and Brazil nuts so choose these foods as a snack to help turn your bad mood around.

The type of foods you choose throughout the day will make a difference in your mood. So remember if you choose protein rich foods you will get mental and energy boosters and if you choose carbohydrate rich foods you will become more relaxed and at ease.

Kuchar is an AmeriCorps member with Project MANA.