Smarter Fuels for a Sharper, More Focused Mind
In this blog, I’ll break down what to eat for better focus and what to avoid if you want to crush your day with max productivity.
I’ll also share why it’s so hard for us to stop grabbing sub-optimal meals and snacks, and how to make it easier to have smarter foods easily accessible.
I’ll also share why it’s so hard for us to stop grabbing sub-optimal meals and snacks, and how to make it easier to have smarter foods easily accessible.
The Foods You Eat = The Focus You Get
They say, “You are what you eat.” If that’s true, then wouldn’t you rather be more of a brainiac and less of a bonehead? The reality is that food directly affects your cognitive function, energy levels, and ability to focus—so if you’re feeding your ADHD brain ‘stupid food’, you’re setting yourself up for a foggy, distracted day.
Sugar = ‘Stupid Food’ = Mushy Brain
Let’s face it: the modern diet is full of foods that sabotage brain function. Refined sugars, processed carbs, and artificial ingredients that can send your brain into a tailspin.
Sugar, in particular, sucks for ADHD brains. Refined sugar—especially high fructose corn syrup—is a toxin that messes with your ability to focus. Here’s why:
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It hijacks your brain’s reward system, making you crave more junk. (You get a little ‘high’ – quick boost of energy – then you crash, then grab more for more ‘high’, and so on.)
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It doesn’t suppress hunger—so you keep eating (and then crashing…and eating…and crashing…).
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It kills sustained mental stamina, leaving you soggy, foggy and fatigued.
And then there’s…
Shelf-Stable = Brain’s Unable
The boxed, canned, and jarred foods that fill the
center aisles of grocery stores are packed with artificial junk and simple carbs that leave you sluggish. Instead, stick to the fresh, whole foods found along the store’s perimeter.
center aisles of grocery stores are packed with artificial junk and simple carbs that leave you sluggish. Instead, stick to the fresh, whole foods found along the store’s perimeter.And in shopping that perimeter, try to focus on these…
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Lean proteins (fish, eggs, poultry) = better neurotransmitter function
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Leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula) = brain-protecting antioxidants
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Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil) = steady energy + focus
***REALITY CHECK***
OK – I know shifting our diet ain’t easy. We’ve built up years of food habits, there may be kids in the house for whom sugar/carbs aren’t such an issue, and fact is, protein snacks and meals are more expensive and harder to prepare (vs, say, a bag of Cheetos).
So here are two ways to make transitioning to better-brain-fuel snacks easier…
1. Don’t Let That $&*t Into the House: I invite you to grab your shopping list right now and scratch off the crap – salty snacks, cookies, even “false friends” like sugary yogurts and ‘health’ bars. If they don’t enter the house, they won’t be there to tempt you when your tummy grumbles. (And if you must keep some of these around, don’t eat ‘em during the day!)
2. Stock Up on ‘Portable Proteins’: Now, add some easily-prepared protein-and-fiber snacks to your list and try to always have them on hand. A few of my go-tos:
- A banana or apple schmeared with peanut/almond/sesame butter.
- A big ol’ carrot to dig into a tub of hummus.
- Keep a bag of raw nuts w/some dried fruit – apricots, dates, raisins – on hand at all times.
- Cottage cheese – toss in some raisins and nuts.
- A couple slices of healthy bread slathered with nut-butter.
- Hard boiled eggs!
Note that most of these combine protein with fiber – which is key!
Your ADHD brain is hungry for the right fuel—so make some simple changes to clean up your diet, and watch how much more energy, clarity, and productivity you unlock!
[What are your thoughts on this topic? I love hearing from you, so hit reply and fire away!]
Bless!
APB
