Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are devastating diseases. Many of us have been directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in our immediate families; it’s a long road for everyone involved, but especially for the victim while he’s still “with it” enough to know he’s slipping and losing his cognitive ability and independence from it.
It is our generation, the baby boomer generation, that is most at risk. You need to know what to “feed your head,” but what kinds of foods should you eat to keep your brain healthy?
A big part of eating well is knowing what not to eat. Sugar, simple carbohydrates, and trans fats are at the top of the “don’t eat” list. This means you need to ditch fast food and anything beige ASAP!
Clean out your pantry and fridge! Everything in a box goes. You have to become a tag reader. Anything with condoms is also thrown away. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydrozitoluene) plus nitrates and nitrites are common preservatives. read tags; detect them; then don’t eat them!
You should also consider marketing efforts; We can all be fooled by the false feeling that you are making good healthy eating decisions for yourself and your family based on current health fads. For example, “gluten-free” has become a popular health phrase of our time, but keep in mind that just because something is gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s free of sugar and trans fat. Eating well is so simple that it often seems complicated.
Go for the color! Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables that are colorful is an easy way to choose foods rich in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are compounds found in fruits and vegetables that actually protect those plants. Phytonutrients, when consumed, are believed to help protect us from diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Learn to eat healthy fats. Did you know that your brain is made up of approximately 60 percent fat? Contrary to the “wisdom” of the past, we now know that it is important to consume fat, but it must be healthy fat. Avoid low-fat and fat-free products; instead, eat foods with healthy fats like avocados and nuts, and cook with olive oil instead of an oil like canola oil.
Learn how to eat a healthy, vibrant diet now that’s rich in phytonutrients and healthy fats; when you’re 80 years old and still recognize your family members, you’ll be glad you did!