Why carbs are so important for our brain 🧠?
First, we are going to get a little “science-y,” so hang in there! All carbohydrates (grains, beans, dairy, fruits, starchy vegetables, and sugar) break down into glucose.
Glucose is fuel for our cells. Specifically, glucose is the preferred source of fuel for the brain.
Simple Carbs
Simple carbs are a shorter molecular strand and break down in the body faster, which gives the body energy but for shorter amounts of time.
Complex Carbs
Complex carbs, a longer molecular strand, take more time to break down and give the body more sustainable, long lasting energy.
Fiber, a complex carbohydrate, also supports a healthy gut. Fiber is the food source for the "good bacteria" in our gut. Having a "healthy gut" directly correlates with our mental health, as 95% of serotonin is produced in the gut.
The good news is that, for most of us, our bodies do a really great job of regulating glucose levels. However, there are still a few things we can do to provide the brain with the fuel it needs to stabilize our moods as best we can.
Listen to your body when it’s hungry.
Like I said, our bodies are good at regulating themselves, however we still must listen. Though it can be easy to ignore hunger cues when you are busy, we get hunger cues because we need fuel. You may find that when you are truly listening to your hunger cues, you need more snacks. That’s okay! Especially if those snacks include complex carbohydrates paired with a source of protein and or fat!
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