Can you believe summer is half over already?
As we slowly begin to return to our first sense of normalcy since the pandemic began, it’s important to acknowledge the fact we all managed to survive a year and a half of isolation and disrupted life — Way to be resilient!
In this issue we are focusing on nutrition. Nutrition is especially important for those living with brain injury, but equally important for our caregivers and loved ones. Whether it’s staying hydrated, taking supplements, or trying a keto diet, you’re sure to find some great information in this issue.
With farmer’s markets in full-swing, this is the perfect time to read up on nutrition and find recipes to help you meet your nutrition goals while supporting your local farmers.
For me personally, upping my protein intake was a huge game-changer in my symptoms. Eating a high-protein breakfast first thing in the morning, munching on high-protein snacks throughout the day, and eating a nutritious protein snack several hours before bed are all a part of my daily ritual.
Additionally, upping my water intake was important in my recovery as well. With the brain being roughly 73% water, you can imagine it needs a lot of hydration to function properly. The average person needs half their body weight in water each day … example: a 150-pound person should be drinking 75 oz of water every day. Additionally, if you drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, you will need to drink more water to counteract the dehydrating effects of caffeine and alcohol… example: if you drink 16 oz of coffee, you need an additional 16 oz of water in additional to the 75 oz you should already be drinking. Choose your beverages wisely!!
Also, if you’ve ever been concerned about which foods to invest the extra money for organic, we have a handy guide for you in this issue. We list the “clean fifteen” and the “dirty dozen” to help you make informed shopping decisions.
As you flip through the pages of this magazine, I encourage you to take notes and reach out to the professionals to seek further guidance. There’s no reason to continue suffering with your nutrition when so many treatment options are available to you.
