Photo Credit: ebruli | Creative Commons License

MyFox National

The beginning of the new year is traditionally a time when many people think about changing their diets. With all the parties and extra eating during the holidays, many try to make up for that in January by watching what they eat.

However, studies have shown that counting calories, carbs or fat grams can be unhealthy for your brain. We can be so worried about what we’re eating that our short-term memory could be affected.

Our diets can affect our brains in many ways, according to LiveScience. Here are some suggestions to help keep you brain healthy.

Give it a constant supply of glucose. - The brain uses up about 20 percent of our daily calorie intake. It gets those calories from recently eaten carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, grains etc.). But don’t just guzzle sodas and eat cake, as high glucose levels slowly but surely damage cells everywhere in the body, including those in the brain.

Eat less, but more frequently. - The brain works best when it gets a consistent amount of glucose. Trading three meals a day for constant nibbling can be beneficially.

Have a balanced diet. - Stay away from foods that cause the blood sugar to rise quickly. Mix in vegetables and fruits along with your snacks.

Some fats are worse than others. - Not all fats are equal. Trans fats, common in fast food, are the worst. Saturated fats are not great. Unsaturated fat is the healthiest.

Everybody is different. - Food affects everyone’s brain a little differently. Children and the very thin may feel faint or grumpy due to low blood glucose faster than an average-sized adult. Also, people who chronically under-eat, over-exercise or regularly skip meals can become fuzzy-headed even after a minor dip in glucose.

Studies have also found that:

Vegetables may boost brain power in older adults;
Extra pounds may drain the brain;
Thinking makes us eat more;
Eating slower helps you eat less; and
Skipping breakfast can cause brain degeneration.