Five Steps To Think Clearly
Some people have been
actually diagnosed with ADHD/ADD, and some of us just can’t remember what we
walked into the room to get! Our
diets can play a big part in how our brain functions. Below are my Five Top
Food reasons that causes attention and memory issues, plus tips to boost your brain.
1. Artificial colors
These
would be food dyes. Do we really need blue frosting?? According to Webmd: "The
following artificial colors are approved for use in food products and must be
listed as ingredients on labels:"
- FD&C Blue No. 1
(brilliant blue FCF)
- FD&C Blue No. 2
(indigotine)
- FD&C Green No. 3
(fast green FCF)
- FD&C Red No. 40
(allura red AC)
- FD&C Red No. 3
(erythrosine)
- FD&C Yellow No.
5 (tartrazine)
- FD&C Yellow No.
6 (sunset yellow)
- Orange B (restricted
to use in hot dog and sausage casings)
Tip: If the food is NOT
that color do not eat it. Check out food labels to make sure the natural color
of the food isn’t enhanced with food dyes. You might be surprised what foods
are dyed. Check out your pickle jar!
2. Wheat
According to Dr.
Perlmutter, Author of “Grain Brain,” when the brain encounters many grains it
can cause an inflammatory processes in our gut that transfers to our brain. Our
gut is our “2nd Brain” and interacts with our brain constantly. Our
brain thrives on fat and cholesterol, and too many grains can cause too much to
handle. Wheat being the top consumed grain; we need to check into how much we
are putting into our mouths on a daily basis.
Tip: It’s not about going
gluten free, as many GF products now contain toxic ingredients. It is looking
at where you can EAT MORE VEGGIES with each meal and less grains. Plus healthy fats like avocados and coconut oil.
3. Sugar and Artificial
Sweeteners
This is a no brainer. Sugar is more addictive that cocaine,
and the withdrawal side effects can be more difficult to overcome. Research has
been done on this, and according to Dr. Robert Lustig Sugar kills 350 million a
year and relapse from sugar addiction is 97%. When our brain is addicted to
anything we can’t completely focus.
If sugar isn’t bad enough,
artificial sweeteners actually make you crave the sweet stuff more. It is also very toxic to your system. “According to study of Diabetes Care, daily
consumption of diet soda was associated with 36% greater risk of metabolic
syndrome and a 67% greater risk of having type 2 diabetes.” –Dr. Axe
Try: Natural Sweetness.
Cut up a pineapple and snack, put a slice of orange in your water, or even put
some apple in your salad. Use fruit to naturally sweeten.
4. Caffeine
This is an excerpt from my
Five Fast Fatigue Fighters Workshop that explains it all.
1. Caffeine gives you
Energy: Wrong
Caffeine
is only a chemical stimulation. The perceived “energy” comes from the body’s
struggle to adapt increase blood levels of stress hormones.
2.
Caffeine gives you a lift: Wrong
While
the initial adrenal stimulation may provide a transient anti-fatigue “lift,”
caffeine’s ultimate mood effect is a letdown, either subtle or profound.
Caffeine is positively linked to panic attacks.
3.
Caffeine sharpens your mind: Wrong
While
caffeine users may feel more alert, the experience is simply one of increased
sensory and motor activity. The quality of quality of thought and recall is
improved no more than the quality of music is improved when playing at higher
volume or speed.
Try: Adaptogenics help
your adrenals function more optimally. I enjoy a cup of Holy Basil Tea and
Licorice Root Tea to help get a natural pick me up. Healthy Fats can also help
with focus and energy. I LOVE avocados and coconut oil!
5. Meat
Protein can be an amazing
way to gain more energy, but too much can go the other way. Protein is a heavy
dense food. If you way too much “heaviness” that is exactly what your brain
feels like….heavy. Making sure you are consuming clean, organic and fresh meat
is vital if you consume it. I am a meat eater, but I see the importance to see
what works best for your body. I eat more red meat around my cycle and more
chicken and turkey when I am not on my cycle. I have found The Blood Type Diet
is a great way to learn what meats work best for your type.
Tip: Veggies should always
be the foundation of your meals. To learn what meat protein works best for you
check out The Blood Type Diet book or just keep a food journal and see how
different meats make you feel.
>>> Which Food do you think
you are consuming too much of? How can you start to find another way to
eliminate just one this week? Post to my Facebook Page and let me know!
