What You Are And What You Eat

According to the National Center for Health Statistics at least 16% of American children are categorized as obese. There are two main factors the Center identifies as causal in this issue. The first is "screen time." Screen time is the amount of time a person spends watching television, playing video games or at a computer. The second is what children eat and drink.

Furthermore, the American Medical Association has linked what we eat and drink to how we think, or process information.

Here are some key issues and questions that should be addressed in every home in America.

1. Given that the human brain is 80% water, it is imperative that adequate water in taken in to keep the body and the brain properly hydrated. That is water, not soda. Many soda drinks contain caffeine which is a diuretic that actually reduced the amount of water in the body.

Did you know being thirsty can cause problems with learning? Within minutes of drinking water cortisol levels (caused by the stress of thirst) can show measurable decrease.

2. Protein is better for learning. Dr. Atkins aside, fewer brain disorders are found among populations with higher protein intake. Also, life expectancy is significantly longer in populations with higher protein intake.

There are simple strategies to attack this goal.

-spread peanut but on the breakfast toast
-sprinkle shredded cheese on foods
-keep hardboiled eggs on hand for snacks
-keep yogurt and cottage cheese on hand

3. Sugar creates an initial surge of brain energy followed by an extended deficit. Sugar not only make it difficult for the learning centers in the cerebal cortex to work but also stimulates more adrenalin which decreases the ability to focus.

4. Families who share common meal times report better relationships and less difficulty in working cooperatively with others.