Brain Health Begins with the Foods We Eat

Great mental health begins in the stomach. More specifically, the foods we put in our stomachs greatly determine our mental or brain health, according to Waheeb Yassin, a licensed physical therapist and owner of Palos Hills-based Avicenna.

Mr. Yassin was the guest speaker at a recent English Language workshop for parents whose children attend North Palos School District 117’s state-funded Preschool for All. For their children to participate, parents must attend one educational workshop and one Family Night event each month.

“We need to start training kids young to eat healthier,” Yassin said. “Most kids - from the time they get up to the time they go to bed - eat extremely unhealthy foods. “And that affects both their mental and physical health in and out of school.”

He said sugary drinks like pop and fruit juices spike blood sugar levels. “The brain doesn’t like being on a roller-coaster. It likes to be in a balanced state.”

Yassin urged parents to steer clear of giving their children foods with words containing “processed, saturated, preservatives, artificial, additives and trans fats” and replacing those foods with more lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and almonds, cashews and other nuts and seeds.”

He said “smaller portions are the key to healthy eating.”

Yassin mentioned how critical Vitamin D is for overall body function. “Vitamin D is free. It comes from the sun,” he said. “Go outside.”