Did you know that there are many different names for sugar?
That makes reading labels a bit more challenging if you don’t know all of them. I still sometimes get tricked by these sneaky names.
A quick run down is anything with the word: sugar, syrup, ends is -ose and even some fruit juice.
Why should you be aware of these different names?
Because sugar, in excess, can impact our brain function. The brain LOVES sugar. In fact, carbohydrates are the brain’s preferred source of energy. And that’s fine and good but carbohydrates from whole foods such as vegetables and fruits provide more nutrients beyond sugar than processed foods. Even whole grains, in the highest quality form, can still be beneficial for us.
If we consume too much sugar, particularly from low quality sources, we can decrease the production of a protein called BDNF (aka - brain derived neurotrophic factors). Without adequate BDNF, the nerve cells in the brain can become impaired.
Also, if our sugar intake is affecting our blood sugar levels, this can also negatively impact our brain function. So if you’re someone that rides the blood sugar rollercoaster i.e., sugar highs followed by sugar crashes which are only helped by eating more sugar-laden foods) then keeping your sugar intake in check is a crucial piece of the brain puzzle for you.
By being aware of the different names for sugar, you can become a better detective at finding sugar within the foods you eat, empowering yourself to choose different and higher quality products.
Which of these names did you not realize were sugar?
We’ve been told not to eat fat for decades and it hasn’t gotten us any healthier. What if I told you that we NEED to eat fat?
Fats, like olive oil and butter, have some important roles in our body.
It provides us with energy
It helps us digest vitamins A, D, E, and K
It keeps us full and helps food taste good
Omega 3's are essential building blocks for the brain especially for learning and memory.
Those are just 3 but I could go on and on. I’m here for better tasting food! Slather some butter on your gluten free toast, drizzle olive oil on your salad or sear your steak in some coconut oil.
Enjoy how much better your food tastes and how satiated you are after.
A little digestion “tip” this week! Eat your pineapple! As we head into summer, pineapples are at their ripest which makes this the perfect time to try this tip out.
Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain which helps that GI tract by reducing inflammation and bloating. Bromelain is only found in pineapple so eat up!
Pineapples also have plenty of vitamins and minerals, including a high amount of your daily vitamin C needs.
Keeping your digestion in check ensures that your body, and ultimately your brain, is getting all of the nutrients it needs to function at its best.
My favorite way of eating pineapple is either in a fruit salad or in a salsa! How about yours?
Want to know a secret? YOU don’t have to LOVE every type of exercise out there. Just because your best friend or soulmate enjoys running, doesn’t mean YOU have to.
We are all different, which means we all enjoy moving our bodies in different ways. And fortunately, there’s a variety of exercise types to suit the variety of personalities out there.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), uses the DISC model for categorizing personality types. They are 4 types: dominant, inspired, supportive, and cautious.
Dominant personalities typically do fine working out alone or in groups but enjoy a challenge and like to quantify their results. If you consider yourself a dominant personality type you will enjoy exercises that require As Many Reps as Possible (AMRAPs) or even enjoy competitions/challenges.
Inspired types usually prefer group classes as they are people-oriented. If you are an inspired type, you may enjoy partner workouts or group-based activities. The fun of working with others is more motivating than counting reps or weight.
As the more reserved, task-oriented, and data driven personality, Cautious types prefer working out on their own. Regardless of what the exercise is, this type of personality enjoys tracking metrics whether that be reps completed, time needed to complete a workout, or even something like heart rate or steps.
While supportive personality types are also more reserved, they prefer the group environment over being alone. Supportive types typically do well in small-group programs where everyone is working towards the same goal.
In our program, 5 Factor Focus, we go into more detail about what exercises may work for you based on your particular challenges.
To read more, check out this article from ACE:
Which personality type are you?
On the topic of emotional stress, I wanted to share this article on emotional withdrawal and women with ADHD/ADD.
"ADHD and emotional withdrawal — pulling away from friends, strangers, and loved ones alike — often go hand-in-hand. Withdrawal is a coping mechanism many women with ADHD learn from a lifetime of rejection, disappointment, and bullying. Breaking this unhealthy habit is not easy — but your relationships may depend on it."
https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-emotional-withdrawal-rejection-sensitivity-women/
Is emotional withdrawal something that you've dealt with in your life?
DO YOU STRUGGLE TO STAY FOCUSED? HYPER FOCUS? DISORGANIZED? HAVE ADHD? THINK YOU HAVE ADHD?
