D stands for Diet.
What we eat and drink plays a critical role in the health and functioning of our brain.
And what’s the ideal brain-boosting diet?
Eat real food.
Quit the junk food, fast food, processed food and convenience food that lines 80% of our supermarket shelves. It doesn’t matter if you’re vegan, vegetarian, omnivore or carnivore, as long as you eat food that is:
From the land, from the sea
From the sky or from a tree.
Not from a packet, not from a tin,
If it comes in a box, I’d throw it in the bin.
Of course it is more nuanced than this,
But if in doubt, give the product a miss!
Fast food, junk food and processed foods are toxic to our brain because our brain — and body for that matter — were not designed to handle all the sugar, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers, thickeners, trans fats and seed oils that make up processed foods.
Cook from scratch as much as possible.
I know this can be challenging with all the other demands on our time — but we make time for what’s most important to us. Create a system that allows you to cook your own meals with fresh, whole ingredients. Fish, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, vegetables and berries are all excellent brain foods.
In contrast, every soft drink is a bullet to our brain. The rush of sugar actually drains our neurons of energy — and leads to the build up of toxic byproducts. And drink two litres of water every day. Good hydration is essential for all the chemical and electrical processes that constitute the functioning of our brain.
How have I put this into practice today?
To my surprise, the guest house where I’m staying asked what I wanted for dinner and what I wanted for my packed lunch tomorrow. Then my guide took me to the local fruit and vegetable market and I was allowed to choose whatever vegetables I wanted in my Sri Lankan curry, which they would cook that night! They’d already bought fish that had been caught in the local river (rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for optimal brain function) and eggs from the neighbouring farm. It doesn’t get much fresher or more wholesome than that!
Obviously you don’t have a Sri Lankan cook, nearby river, and next door neighbour’s chickens at your disposal, but whatever small steps you take towards eating more nutritious meals, will start to make a positive difference to the functioning of your brain.
And for the complete guide to brain-healthy eating, read the Food is Medicine section in my book, Can Adventure Prevent Dementia?
Meanwhile, I’ve started to acquire a taste for Sri Lankan black tea, which is rich in polyphenols and also excellent for our brain.
To learn more about the inspiring work of Dementia Adventure, click here.
Or to make a donation, click here.
This is a photo from Stage 3 (of 22 stages) of the 300+km Pekoe Trail.
For more photos of my time in Sri Lanka, click here.
If you’d like to trek the Pekoe Trail yourself, please contact Deen at srilankatrekkingclub.com
I highly recommend you do it in the recommended 22 days, not the high speed 14 days that I did it in! You can also choose to only do one or a few of the stages to get a taste of Sri Lanka’s glorious tea country. Happy hiking – it’s a fabulous brain-boosting activity!
Please share this with anyone who has an interest in brain health or a diagnosis of dementia.
