When a brain is hungry

Foods for the brain

Brain power is characterized by how alert, energetic, and concentrated your brain is in response to a task. Information in your brain passes through neurotransmitters, which are manufactured by the nerve cells using precursors. Different neurotransmitters will have different impacts on your brain activity. For example, serotonin is the calming neurotransmitter that usually makes you more relaxed, drowsy, and fuzzy-headed. While dopamine and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that make you more alert, more attentive, motivated and mentally energetic.

Food affects your brain power by affecting the production of neurotransmitters in your brain. By supplying amino acids, which are used as precursors to manufacture neurotransmitters, and by affecting the entry of the amino acids into brain, foods can have a significant impact on your brain activity. High-carbohydrate foods in general tend to subdue brain activity. Protein foods, on the other hand, can counteract carbohydrate food induced sluggishness. In addition, foods and herbs can have effects on brain activity by affecting blood circulation - the supply line of oxygen, nutrient, and hormone to the brain.

What are the brain foods

"Brain foods" are those foods which improve brain function. A diet heavy in omega-3 fatty acids, for example can help keep the blood vessels of the brain clear of blockages and allow nerve cells to function at a high level. So you may want to eat your fish twice a week (A major source of omega-3s) or take a supplement.

It is equally important, however, to recognize the foods that diminish brain power. Alcohol and some other drugs just kill brain cells directly, but there are many less obvious brain-attacking foods. Artery clogging foods can lead to restricted blood flow to the brain, and high-glycemic-index foods can cause terrible blood-sugar swings that make both your body and your mind irritable and sluggish.

The list of good brain foods for mental function are: Avocados, Bananas, Beef, lean,Brewer's yeast,Broccoli,Brown rice,Brussels, sprouts,Cantaloupe,Cheese,Chicken,Collard greens,Eggs,Flaxseed oil,Legumes,Milk,,Oatmeal,Oranges,Peanut butter,Peas,Potatoes,Romaine lettuce,Salmon,Soybeans,Spinach,Tuna,Turkey,Wheat germ,Yogurt

Easy to make, good to eat...Muesli

Another choice for breakfast...Muesli

Created by a Swiss physician around 1900 muesli is the absolute perfect breakfast food.The main ingredients in muesli include oats, nuts and fruit (usually berries).Milk or yogurt is usually added to create the perfect breakfast.

Muesli has a good complex to simple carbohydrate ratio, essential fatty acids, protein, calcium as well as more vitamins, minerals as well as antioxidants. Muesli will fill you up, tastes delicious and provides the long lasting energy you need to make it the best of the top 5 breakfast foods.

Healthy Cheap Muesli Recipe That You can Do

Buy cheap bulk rolled oats from your local grocery store. You can also buy other rolled grains such as barley and wheat. Buy some of your favorite nuts such as walnuts, pecans and almonds chopped or whole.

You can buy dried fruit or head to Costco and buy frozen berries, mix them all together and boil for a few minutes on your stove and you have a tasty, complete breakfast to give you energy for the rest of your day.

Fast Foods Facts

Facts about Food Facts: Teens Guidelines

Fast food Popularity

Fast food is any food that is quick, convenient, and usually inexpensive. You can buy fast food just about anywhere that sells food and snacks. Vending machines, drive-thru restaurants, and 24 hour convenience stores are probably the most common places to find fast food. It's so popular because for under $5.00 you can usually get a filling meal. However, fast food is inexpensive because it is usually made with cheaper ingredients such as high fat meat, refined grains, and added sugar and fats, instead of nutritious foods such as lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Is fast food bad?

There is no such thing as a "bad" food. All foods can fit into a healthy meal plan. It's true that fast food is usually high in fat, calories, cholesterol, and sodium, but eating fast food every once in a while is not going to cause you problems. If you eat too much fast food over a long period of time, though, it can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.

Is some fast food healthier than others?

Many fast food chains are revamping their menus to respond to customers comments. For example, some chains no longer serve foods with trans fat, and many have menu items that contain fruits and vegetables. If you are having fast food more than once a week, try to make healthier choices. Here are some tips:

* Choose foods that are broiled over fried such as a grilled chicken sandwich instead of fried chicken or chicken nuggets.
* Choose soups that are not cream based (For example: If the name of the soup includes the word cream, such as "Creamy Tomato Soup", avoid ordering it).
* Have low-fat salad dressings instead of the full-fat kind.
* Have a salad or soup instead of fries.
* Use mustard or ketchup instead of mayonnaise.
* Order smaller entrée portions. For example: instead of a large sub, try a small sub with a side salad or piece of fruit.
* If you are getting a side, order a small, or kid sized portion. A large fry has approximately 500 calories and 25 grams of fat, while a small fry has about 60% less fat and calories (230 calories and 11 grams of fat).
* When ordering a sub or sandwich, select leaner meats like turkey or grilled chicken instead of fried items such as burgers or steak, and cheese sandwiches.
* Choose water, low-fat milk, or diet sodas instead of regular sodas, fruit drinks, milkshakes, or whole milk.
* When ordering pizza, add veggies instead of meat, and get thin crust instead of deep dish.
* If fruits and veggies are available, try to add them into your meal. For example, have lettuce and tomato on sandwiches or burgers.

Please remember:
Try to balance fast food with other nutritious foods throughout the day and make healthier choices whenever possible. There are many healthy food choices that are easily available, tasty, and don't cost very much that can be eaten on the go.

Breakfast

Important meal of the day...Breakfast

It has been said many times, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After a long period without eating your blood sugar levels will be low. Skipping breakfast can mean your body will start to crave something sweet and you'll end up snacking on unhealthy foods.

Start the day with a filling and nutritious meal and you will give your metabolism a kick start. You'll feel full until lunch time with no temptation to snack your way through the morning. Some studies have also shown that eating breakfast (high carbohydrate/low fat) can make you more alert and assertive to face the day.

Overcome the reasons not to have breakfast and make it part of your day. If you're too busy in the morning, prepare as much as you can the night before. If you can't stomach anything first thing try just a glass of pure, unsweetened fruit juice, a banana, yoghurt or slice of toast. Get into the habit of trying different dishes at breakfast and enjoy it! Here are some examples that you can try...

Breakfast Cereals

Go for a low-calorie muesli (no added sugar or salt) or a high fibre cereal - such as Weetabix or Shredded Wheat with semi skimmed or skimmed milk. Add some fresh fruit - a sliced banana or dried apricots - to add natural sweetness and help you resist the sugar. (They also count towards your daily fruit and vegetable quota). Check out our Tried and Tasted Breakfast Cereals.

Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh fruit salad will provide a slow release of energy to get you through until lunchtime and also give you a healthy top up of vitamins and minerals. This healthy choice will motivate you to make healthy choices throughout the day. Peel and slice a few of your favourite fruits, top with a dollop of natural bio-yoghurt and enjoy with a slice of bread and honey. Alternatively, if you've got a blender, pop the peeled and cored fruit in with the yoghurt and teaspoon of honey and make a delicious fresh smoothie.

Egg and Soldiers

Egg and soldiers isn't all bad. Eggs are an excellent and compact source of nutrients, are relatively low in calories (75kcals each if boiled / poached) and contain very little saturated fat. Use wholemeal bread for the "soldiers" and resist the butter / spread - try marmite instead! Accompany with a glass of fruit or vegetable juice.

Basic info about Food

Few pointers about FOOD

Food is any substance, usually composed of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal or human for nutrition or pleasure. Items considered food may be sourced from plants, animals or other categories such as fungus or fermented products like alcohol. Although many human cultures sought food items through hunting and gathering, today most cultures use farming, ranching, and fishing, with hunting, foraging and other methods of a local nature included but playing a minor role.

Most traditions have a recognizable cuisine, a specific set of cooking traditions, preferences, and practices, the study of which is known as gastronomy. Many cultures have diversified their foods by means of preparation, cooking methods and manufacturing. This also includes a complex food trade which helps the cultures to economically survive by-way-of food, not just by consumption.

Many cultures study the dietary analysis of food habits. While humans are omnivores, religion and social constructs such as morality often affect which foods they will consume. Food safety is also a concern with foodborne illness claiming many lives each year. In many languages, food is often used metaphorically or figuratively, as in "food for thought".

Simple Tips

In order to effectively use foods for our health benefits, the following issues need to be considered:

* Keep up with the most recent scientific findings and make use of them for our health benefits
* Try to use variety of whole foods as much as possible instead of isolated dietary supplements for your health problems - they are safer, cheaper, and usually more effective since they can provide multiple and balanced disease fighting capabilities
* Choice of foods is important: since healing power of a food is depending on the content of pharmacologically active constituents that differ among foods, and certain foods may need to be avoided due to their disease encouraging activities
* How do you prepare and eat your foods can affect their pharmacological effects
* Concerns about multiple health conditions: foods that benefit one health condition may be harmful to others
* Overall nutritional values of foods