Why we NEED to Fuel our Focus

Everybody knows that food is important. The foods we eat, how we eat it, and how it’s processed can have dramatic effects on our overall physical health and wellbeing. But who would have guessed that our diets played a major role in stealing our ability to pay attention?

As we’ve progressed as a society, the foods we have gained access to and eat on a daily basis have dramatically changed. Natural foods are less apparent now more than ever and it is become much easier for the daily consumer to eat processed foods everyday. Honestly, I get why we so many people eat processed foods. It tastes better, easily accessible and when we’ve got so many other things going on, it’s hard to be super-focused on eating the healthiest foods.

However, you can really feel it in your body and in your mind. Try doing a task on an empty stomach or only eating processed/junk foods, it doesn’t end well. I struggle with this a lot. Many people tell me that I get “hangry” (a combination of the words hungry and angry) and I become more irritated and impatient without food in my belly. It’s true, and so to counteract that I usually stuff myself with whatever is right in front of me to calm the earthquake.

Watch this video to learn the basics of how ‘food affects your brain on a daily basis.

It’s important to consider what exactly we are putting into our bodies and what sort of nutrients are being consumed each and every day. Are we getting the necessary fiber we need? How about vitamins? The amount of sugar we eat plays a huge role in our energy levels and determines when we are going to spike and when we are going to crash and lose focus. According to Stolen Focus, a study was performed by a group of Dutch scientists and found that 70% of kids had improved rates of attention when they cut out preservatives and dyes out of their diet. Unfortunately, the foods that many people love to eat are harming us at a dramatically alarming rate. 

“If you put shampoo into a car engine, you’re not going to scratch your head when the thing conks out,”

– Dale Pinnock, Well-Known Nutritionist in Britain

I find it interesting that some people believe that this is only an individualistic problem. That one’s choices and decisions are the only thing that is stopping people from simply eating healthier and dieting. Although it may seem that it is possible for each and every person, there are several factors that come into play when people are choosing food. It’s clear that cruel optimism is still very apparent to this day and that many people believe that if we follow an fitness influencer’s exact training plan, that we will become fit and successful in one night.

No matter how hard you try, each person’s path to living a healthier and more focused lifestyle will be different. There may be some tips that could work for you but there similarly be just as many that won’t work for you. For our society to ignore the epidemic we have when it comes to our physical health screams of greed.

Many people feel stuck at where they are because of the way our society is structured. Unfortunately due to circumstances, sometimes there simply is no other option to pick a healthier choice. Remember that each item in the grocery store has been strategically placed, designed, and marketed to attract your brain and get you to eat that food for the simple reason, which is to make money.

The first step to change is to recognize what is it about yourself that you notice and want to change. I wish us all luck as we journey through it.