How Food impacts the Brain and Emotions

What if you could change the way the brain works just by changing what you feed yourself and your kiddos? YOU CAN! 

Food is medicine and can heal your body. Food and nutrition is also a significant contributor to how our brain operates.

Lauren discusses how an auto-immune disorder changed how she views food and herbs. She describes healing herself by changing what she ate. 

Processed Foods
Processed foods are so harmful to our bodies. Many health issues in the U.S. are tied to this type of food plus lack of exercise.

Food affects how your brain functions AND how you manage your emotions. Poor nutrition is associated with many health issues along with anxiety and depression. Research into whole food diets has shown a reduction in anxiety incidences. 

Gut-Brain Connection
Part of good nutrition includes the good bacteria found in our stomach. We need these “gut bugs” to properly digest food to feed our bodies. Sugar and processed foods can decrease the amount of good bacteria. A good gut health diet can reduce stomach upset, gas, and bloating. 

To help kids understand the importance of a good diet, we recommend this book: Buddies in my Belly, by Sarah Morgan. This easy-to-read book helps explain to kids (and adults) the importance of what you eat.

Important Foods to eat Regularly
Eating the right food helps us develop and release the neurotransmitters and hormones needed for emotional health. We think more clearly, remember easily, regulate emotion, increase focus, as well as learn and retain information. 

Certain foods, vitamins, and minerals are beneficial for brain health, including those listed below. Lauren discusses several examples of each in this episode.

• Vitamin D
• Fiber
• Calcium
• Iron
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids
• Healthy Snacks

Remember………
The best way to make changes to your diet is in micro-steps. Change 1 small thing first, then another and another. Soon, the food changes just become your “new normal”.
Your brain will thank you for it! 

Books mentioned:
Buddies in my Belly – A Story about Probiotics, by Sarah Morgan

Related Blog Posts:
Does food really impact the brain and emotions?
Ways to Neutralize or Gain Energy for Adults

Lauren answers this week’s listener question: How can teachers repair a damaged relationship with a student and rebuild trust? 

Try-at-home tip:  Ask "How Many Ways"?

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