From skwigg's journal:
We've been talking about metabolism and Eat for Heat. Well, today for lunch, my husband had made me a plate of leftover meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy. Before work, I warmed up and ate that for lunch, then had a small piece of chocolate cake. It really hit home what a VAST difference there is in how certain meals make me feel. Today I did a 10 hour shift in a cold server room and felt fantastic, alert, totally satisfied, happy brain, toasty warm. I think about how I used to feel eating a Lean Cuisine and a Diet Pepsi before work, or a salad and a protein shake, and I can't fathom how I survived it for so long. I was usually cold, cranky, and totally food-obsessed. There's something to carbs being soothing (serotonin?) and sugar/salt/fat being warming and satisfying. I guess this is why they call it comfort food! I was totally comforted and satisfied by my lunch. I ate about 12:30, forgot about food all afternoon, and got hungry for dinner about 7:00. I never used to let myself eat a meal like that, especially during the workweek, because I don't even know why. LOL It seemed illegal or dangerous. Now I would describe it as effective.