Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read
the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. boost (v.) [boost] – to push something
up in order to increase it, make it higher or better
Example: The President
challenged businessmen to boost the
poor economy.
2. manageable (adj.) [man-i-juh-buhl] – can be managed
or controlled
Example: Pollution is manageable because technology provides
effective solutions.
3.dissatisfaction (n.) [dis-sat-is-fak-shuhn] – being in
a condition where one feels he or she needs more; lack of contentment or
satisfaction
Example: Dissatisfaction is the reason why some people are not happy with
what they have.
4. perk up (idiom) [purk] [uhp] – to make someone or something cheerful, happy or alive
Example: Coffee perks me up in the morning.
Article
Read
the text below.
Eating high-calorie food like chocolates, cakes and ice-cream
after a bad day is not bad at all says Michelle May, MD., author of the book
“Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat.”
According to Dr. May, eating to satisfy emotional needs is
normal. When we were babies, we felt loved when our mothers held us close to
feed us. Thus, we also tend to feel the same whenever we eat our favorite
treats.
Furthermore, most of the sweets that we crave for are foods that
are filled with chemicals which signal the brain to create happy thoughts and boost the
mood. Chocolates, for instance, contain the chemicals serotonin and anandamide
, and also cause the release of endorphins which energize the body.
Dr. May says emotional eating can be manageable if we
remember four tips.
First, we should ask ourselves repeatedly if we really want to
eat a treat. By doing this, we control ourselves from eating something which
does not completely satisfy us because dissatisfaction is often a cause of overeating.
Second, whenever we eat treats, our whole attention should be on
the food and not on other things like the TV, computer or iPod. It is important
that we enjoy the moment when eating our favorite treats because eating what we
want too quickly can also result to dissatisfaction.
Third, treats should never replace healthy food and should not
be taken before a regular meal. The sudden increase of sugar in the body
immediately crashes when meals are replaced with desserts. As a result, body
energy decreases causing us to crave for more sugar.
Fourth, we should avoid feeling guilty about eating treats
because guilt upsets our mood forcing us to perk it up by
eating more.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy
a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
What
do you usually do if you are feeling bad or unhappy?
·
What
are healthy ways people can do to be happy?
Discussion B
·
What sweet foods do you think are healthy?
·
What kind of sweet foods are common in your
country?
