Issues in the design of studies investigating the behavioral concomitants of foods.

Abstract

This article discusses a number of issues that must be considered when investigating the behavioral effect of foods. These issues include the idiosyncratic response to a specific food, the necessity of identifying the individual sensitive to the food being studied, the necessity of including a washout phase, consideration of withdrawal effects, assessment of change, dietary challenges, and the time parameter necessary for the effect to be demonstrated. These issues must be considered during the design phase to maximize the probability of detecting the true behavioral effect of a specific food or combination of foods.

Effects of eating behavior on mood: A review of the literature

“…This would suggest that, for a distressed group of individuals, a vicious cycle may be created where simple carbohydrates are consumed to obtain a temporary relief from feelings of dysphoria and fatigue. Following the temporary relief the carbohydrate consumption increases feelings of fatigue and dysphoria contributing to the development and maintenance of negative affect (Christensen, 1991). It may be, similar to the effect noted with regard to alcohol consumption (Tamerin & Mendelson, 1969), that it is the more immediate mood elevating or energy enhancing effect that is remembered and not the subsequent exacerbation and maintenance of negative affect that may accompany the carbohydrate ingestion.…”