My BIG brain...

My husband is always teasing me about the size of my brain - he's just jealous. His would be big too if he drank more champagne and ate more spicy food! But really, you can increase your brain POWER (which is what we're really talking about here...) by eating a healthy diet that is rich in complex carbohydrates, good fats (in particular, omega 3's), and high quality, lean proteins. Carbohydrates are your brain's primary source for energy - low carbohydrate diets will leave you mentally fatigued and will break down valuable protein to use for energy that would have been better spent building up muscles and making your BODY strong; in other words, carbohydrates make your BRAIN strong. Carbohydrates are easily broken down into glucose, making it readily available to your brain, which needs to be fed constantly. This is not to say that protein is not important - it is, but in a different way. Proteins provide amino acids that make up your neurotransmitters - these allow your brain cells to communicate with each other (so, simply put, allow you to think); and right behind the proteins are your good fats (especially those omega 3's); these boost your memory, and increase your learning capacity. Vitamins and minerals boost your IQ, keep your mind young, improve concentration and positively affect your mood. Some of the best "brain foods" are salmon, oatmeal, blueberries (brainberries!), peanut butter, chocolate, eggs and whole grains - the fiber in whole grains slow down digestion, providing that constant source of energy). Eat what matters to your brain and you'll have more brain matter (hey,a bigger brain!!) Melissa