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Most of us are aware that what we eat can affect our waistline. But did you know that the foods you eat can also impact your brain, which means they can affect your mood, cognition, and sleep? Think of Your Brain Like an Expensive Car Cars need fuel to operate. Some cars do fine no […]
Most of us are aware that what we eat can affect our waistline. But did you know that the foods you eat can also impact your brain, which means they can affect your mood, cognition, and sleep?
Think of Your Brain Like an Expensive Car
Cars need fuel to operate. Some cars do fine no matter what type of gas you put in the tank. But expensive cars typically only do well when you fill the tank with premium gas.
Your brain is like an expensive car. You can try and feed it what YOU want and what YOU think is delicious, but it probably won’t operate optimally. In fact, your brain can actually become damaged if you feed it the wrong foods. For example, many processed and refined foods are harmful to your brain, causing inflammation and toxic overload. Diets high in refined carbohydrates not only promote inflammation but also oxidative stress and worsen your body’s regulation of insulin.
All of this damage affects how your brain operates. That means when you eat poorly, you increase the risk of developing a mood disorder such as depression and anxiety, a cognitive impairment (making it hard to think clearly or remember information), and sleep issues.
And then it becomes a vicious cycle, because once our sleep takes a hit and our mood takes a hit and we can’t focus well, we intuitively want to reach for comfort foods that are usually unhealthy, and the cycle starts all over.
Making Lifestyle Changes Your Brain Will Thank You For
Life is easier and just feels better when our brains are working for us, not against us. With that in mind, here are some lifestyle choices you can make that will keep your brain working optimally:
Skip the Soft Drinks
One of the easiest changes you can make is to stop drinking soda, even sugar-free sodas, which can still impact your insulin levels. Opt for water instead.
Eat Plenty of Healthy Fats
Your brain is 60% fat. It needs fat to thrive. But not all fats are created equally. Stay away from trans fats. These are fats made in a laboratory and are found in processed foods. Seed oils, vegetable oils – these are bad fats!
Healthy fats are those from grass-fed or pastured animals as well as nuts and avocados!
Take Care of Your Gut
Your gut health directly impacts the health of the rest of your body, including your brain. To be healthy, your gut needs a lot of good bacteria – AKA probiotics. So be sure to eat foods rich in probiotics. This can include sauerkraut, kimchi, Greek yogurt, kefir, and any fermented veggies you like!
Your brain does an awful lot for you. Isn’t it time you start paying more attention to what it needs? Eat right and you will experience a big change in your mood, how you think and how your sleep!
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Every parent wants their child to grow up to be as healthy as possible. Sadly, rates of childhood obesity in this country have skyrocketed, increasing over 800% since 1982. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obese youths have a far more likely chance of developing heart disease and high cholesterol as they […]
Every parent wants their child to grow up to be as healthy as possible. Sadly, rates of childhood obesity in this country have skyrocketed, increasing over 800% since 1982.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obese youths have a far more likely chance of developing heart disease and high cholesterol as they age. They are also most likely to develop prediabetes, sleep apnea, joint issues, and poor self-esteem.
Parents can help their kids develop healthy habits by following some of the following tips:
Loading your kids’ plate or lunchbox with healthy foods may not be the best way to get them excited to try new flavors. Instead, give your kids the choice of what they want to try for lunch or dinner. Do they want beets or Brussel sprouts? Blueberries or bananas? Rice pilaf or sweet potatoes? Kids love having choices, and you’ll love that they’re eating healthy!
If you REALLY want to get kids excited about eating more fruits and veggies, then have them grow their own. Caring for a garden not only encourages your kids to eat what they help to grow, but it also teaches them environmental responsibility. If you don’t have enough outdoor space for a garden, check out your local community to see if you can get involved with a community garden.
So many of the foods on grocery store shelves would have you believe they are healthy, but if you read the label, you’ll see they have hidden sugars and trans fats. Even “healthy” foods like yogurt, granola bars, soups, and cereal may contain way too much sugar. Teach your kids to turn those cans and boxes around and read the labels to understand exactly what they are eating.
The bottom line is, the more fun you have and the more you involve your kids in decision making, the more apt they’ll be to try healthy foods and LIKE them, and grow up to be healthy and happy.
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