Food for Thought

You are what you eat. It has been said a million times but what does it really mean? The mystical powers of so-called “brain foods” have been making headlines since the dawn of the Internet. Eat this to sleep better. Eat that to improve memory. I do not really know what an Omega-3 fatty acid is, but with the way people talk about it, the fountain of youth might just be found inside a can of tuna.

What is the rub? Well, when you look past the clickbait and trendy diets, there is some real truth to the hype. You cannot deny that some foods are better than others in terms of physical health. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? The challenge is connecting food to mental health.

The body and mind are intrinsically connected. It helps to think of your body like a car. It needs fuel to run right? Everyone knows there is a difference between premium and unleaded fuel. Your brain’s fuel is food. Junk food is unleaded and healthy food is premium. Your brain is going to function better on premium. You want the cleanest fuel possible for your body’s engine, the brain.

In general, the best diet for physical and mental health is more like the traditional Mediterranean diet- mostly plant-based including whole fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains and seeds. Fatty fish, such as tuna or salmon, and other types of seafood should be the primary form of meat consumed. Poultry, dairy and eggs should be eaten modestly. Red meat should be avoided or eaten sparingly. Of course, water should be the beverage of choice but tea and coffee are acceptable as well.

Not only is this type of diet better for your body but your brain will thank you too. In fact, diets such as this have been linked to a 25-35% lower risk of depression compared to the typical American diet. Nuts, coffee, and fatty fish are known to boost memory and supply your brain with much needed vitamins and nutrients too. Studies have repeatedly shown that students who eat more fruits, vegetables and milk as opposed to processed foods perform better in school.

In general, you should be taking care of your car because it is the only car you have. Avoid highly processed, sugary food as much as you can and always reach for whole fruits and vegetables, when possible. This is crucial for optimal brain performance and mileage. So, if you want to improve your grades—a good start might be to clean out your dorm’s mini fridge.     

By Danny Holland - Danny is a senior public relations and advertising major and the Communications Intern for the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi.