6
Special Foods For The Brain, especially for Writers.
Some
foods are best suited for particular tasks. Athletes have special diet, etc. So
it is just right to expect that some foods to support brain function, and make
writers better writers. Creative writing is one of the most difficult tasks in
the world. A friend says it is the only task you can’t perform whistling.
Although,
it doesn’t require much physical activity, write about 15 pages and your brain
is fagged out, in a weak body. It is usually done in ‘solitary confinement’ but
it is as much fun as it is tasking. To encourage themselves some writers resort
to chewing gum or eating their favourite snacks – drinking coffee and snacking
on chocolate. For famous Nigerian writer, Helon Habila it is water. “My kids
are amazed at how much I drink water,” he says.
Antioxidants:
Those found in fruits and vegetables, offer disease- and age-fighting power to
keep your creative impulses firing at top speed. Blueberries are said to be
especially powerful.
1.
Omega-3 fatty acids: (from fish oil and flax) They are said to boost your
brain’s gray matter. That’s like building muscle in your mind. Prepare to do
some heavy mental lifting…or just impress people with your mental calisthenics.
Choline is a nutrient found in egg yolk or milk that can help ward off senility.
Choline also keeps your memory going strong, so you can actually remember
whether your character was wearing a red shirt twenty pages ago or a blue one!
2.
Folic acid: One study found that adults taking regular folic acid supplements
demonstrated better cognitive function, especially in memory and critical
thinking. So if you’re really having trouble getting past a problematic plot
point, it may be time to supplement!
3.
Chocolate: According to WebMD: “A study by food scientists found that the
antioxidant concentration in a cup of hot cocoa was higher than that found in
either red wine or green tea.” Of course, getting your antioxidants from
veggies (sans whipped cream, fat, and added sugar) may be a better bet. But
next time your spouse gives you “that look” for drinking hot chocolate, you can
say “I’m doing it for my brain!”
4.
Green tea: It is good for your brain. People who drink green tea regularly fare
better mentally when it comes to aging. This is happy news for
writers—especially if you’re the type who stays up into the wee hours working
on a manuscript; your green tea can multitask by keeping you both awake AND
young! Plus, moderate amounts of caffeine are said to boost concentration as
long as you don’t overdo it.
5.
Sugar: No, we’re not talking about the powdery white dusting on donuts, or the
stuff that your grandpa dumps in his coffee until it’s thick as sludge. Nor are
we talking about fake sugar substitutes. Your brain may not love what we call
“sugar,” but it does love glucose.
Glucose
is what your body makes out of sugar and carbs. And a little lift in glucose
can boost your concentration and alertness. Just be sure that when you reach
for sweet, you’re reaching for healthy sweet: blueberries, oranges, etc. Your
brain will get its glucose fix and some antioxidants too! Breakfast: We know
you don’t want to admit it, but your mom was right. Breakfast counts. Eat a
moderate breakfast with protein and whole grains, and you—like countless human
guinea pigs—may find that your concentration gets a boost. Just don’t eat too
much or you’ll get sluggish.
6.
Supplements: There’s a lot of back and forth these days about supplements. But
research suggests that vitamins B, C, E, magnesium, and beta-carotene may be
helpful.
Disclaimer:
Do
we even need to say this? We’re creative writers, not nutritionists. So you
should hear yourself saying “What’s up, Doc?” before you alter your diet to
power your brain. Still, common sense doesn’t require a medical degree.
So
eat right, sleep deeply, and drink plenty of water. And if you don’t know what
it means to eat right, take your cues from Michael Pollan (author of In Defense
of Food), who takes all the food advice out there and breaks it down into three
simple rules:
•
Eat REAL food (as opposed to “food-like substances”).
•
Not too much.
•
Mostly plants.
A
healthy body usually brings about a healthy brain. And that makes for powerful
writing!
Source:
#thisdaylive
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