From a young age, humans are taught to eat the best foods that will keep you healthy and feeling good. Without a doubt, having good nutrition keeps us feeling well and thinking clearly. The reason why teachers tell students to eat healthy before an exam is due to the fact that nutrition falls down to the performance of your mental and physical capability. 

The United States is home to the highest rate of processed foods at a 60% intake. Consuming such bad quality food affects the physical capabilities of a person but also their mental functions. If there is no change in one’s diet, things like obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, memory loss and much more may be experienced due to lack of nutrients that are needed in the body. 

Most of the foods that are available in America are processed. Eating processed foods like cereal and frozen meals have been linked to causing depression, anxiety and inflammation. 

“A 2022 study that followed nearly 11,000 adults over a decade found a correlation between eating ultra processed foods and worse cognitive function (the ability to learn, remember, reason and solve problems).” according to the New York Times Article.

Did You Know: 73% of the food on the grocery store shelves in America is processed and the US is currently the top-ranked country for Ultra Processed Food (UPF) consumption in the world. The American population consumes over half of its calories from ultra-processed food sources alone on a daily basis.

Instead of eating processed foods that will ultimately lead to bad health and poor body functions, you can replace it with foods such as vegetables, oats, brown rice, whole grains, as well as other nutritional sources that limit the amount of saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. You can find these foods at places like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Aldi’s.