Real Money Advice for Divorce

A three stage money guide to help you negotiate the divorce process and create a secure financial future for yourself and your kids.

30 Day Challenge

How to turn your life around in 30 days and save  $30 000 in the process.

A breakthrough in money management!

Real Money Advice for Families

Move your finances from red to black in four simple steps and secure your family's financial future.

Real Money Advice for Kids

A guide designed to help parents  teach their kids  the skills to become successful, confident and financially responsible.

Brain Food

Analaura Luna

Is there such a thing as brain food? We’ve all read about food and supplements that are supposed to ward off aging – blueberries for example, Omega 3 and the like. But what about eating in such a way that our brain function is optimised? Surely this is good for our children’ and our brains?

The truth is (according to Mercol.com an authoritative medical site) that we – especially our children – suffer form “conditioned hyper eating” -- a drive to eat sugary, greasy processed foods that has nothing to do with hunger.

It’s the “munchies”. It can happen when you walk by a vending machine, drive by one of your favourite restaurants or bakeries, or even when you’re sitting at home watching TV. It happens to a lot of people at work – usually late morning or mid afternoon. Suddenly you get a craving for something you know isn’t good for you -- cookies, French fries, ice cream, potato chips, that sort of thing -- and your willpower seems to crumble.

The large amounts of sugar, salt and grease in junk foods are clearly addictive. A link has been established between opioids, or your brain’s 'pleasure chemicals,' and a craving for sweet, salty and fatty foods. It is thought that high-fat foods stimulate the opioids. If you eat poorly for a long time your DNA may become permanently altered and the effects could be passed on to your children and grandchildren.

Refined sugar is addictive - one of the most addictive and harmful substances currently known.  When you eat the foods that are right for the biochemistry of the brain, it will push your body toward its ideal weight and you’ll notice that food cravings largely subside. Snack? Nuts, vegetable sticks, rice salads (brown!) - You’ll feel satiated throughout the day and be far less tempted by the sugary and greasy foods that once had a hold over you.

If you liked this article you might also be interested in these articles about parenting, kids and money:

Teaching kids about good money management

Your Family Your Money eight-month baby financial plan

Make sure you get the latest money management advice - bookmark YFYM today!

Author's Biography

Analaura Luna is an author, wealth adviser and founder of Your Family Your Money. Your Family Your Money’s goal is to simplify traditionally complex financial strategies, demystify financial jargon and debunk common financial myths, becoming every family’s first stop for financial advice, information and inspiration.