Why We Need to Talk More About Food and Brain Health

With so much time spent on eating, it’s apparent that there isn’t enough time spent discussing how foods can help the body recover, especially from a neurological perspective. This needs to change.

In this publication, my goal is to highlight the connection between food and brain health using practical stories, analogies, and simplified subject matter. Whether you’re recovering from a brain injury, seeking to prevent degenerative diseases, or simply looking to optimize your brain function, this publication will be a valuable resource for you.

Three Reasons for Writing This Publication

1. Food Plays a Major Role in Our Daily Lives

Firstly, the average person will likely spend more than one-third of their life eating. Many people have three meals a day with snacks in between. If you were to track the time spent cooking, eating, cleaning up, and thinking about meals or groceries, you’d realize that food occupies a significant portion of our daily lives and occupies our thoughts.

While various cognitive programs and neuro-restorative treatments are available today, programs focused on food and the brain are notably lacking. This is surprising because what we eat can have a much faster effect on our brain than many long-term neuro-restorative programs.

I’m not advocating for food as a superior treatment for the brain, but I believe that nutrition therapy can significantly improve our chances of brain recovery and disease prevention—when coupled with modern restorative programs and other advancements in brain research. As a society, it’s time to prioritize this.

2. Finding Credible Information on Brain Health Is Difficult

Secondly, finding credible information about the brain can be challenging, especially for those with brain injuries. A foggy brain, filled with thoughts of doctor appointments and mounting medical bills, makes it incredibly difficult to search for and focus on ways to get well.

While some claim that conspiracies in the medical field hinder access to vital health information, I disagree. I am living proof that the information is out there.

I also believe that the internet can be a valuable resource for finding information if you know where to look. This book aims to eliminate the guesswork in searching for credible information, both online and offline.

It’s disheartening for me to witness so many survivors turning to social media groups in search of answers for their symptoms or for their injured loved ones. Unfortunately, many online group administrators believe they are offering valuable resources, but these groups often become repositories of misinformation.

I firmly believe that communities should champion both in-person and virtual support groups with a focus on the brain using credible and simplified information.

3. Sharing My Knowledge with a Wider Audience

The third reason I chose to write this publication is I knew the information in my head could be very helpful to people. As word spread about my experiences and knowledge, I received numerous emails and phone calls from people hoping to learn more about what I had discovered.

I spent thousands of hours corresponding with survivors, physicians, and health experts, and sharing information as part of my personal research and learning. However, I soon realized that there wasn’t enough of me to go around. I needed to find a way to share the knowledge that was locked in my head with a wider audience. But how?

A friend who once heard me speak suggested that I could write a book by compiling all my notes. At first, I was skeptical, thinking I might have at most 10 to 20 pages of material, certainly not enough for a book. I was pleasantly surprised to discover otherwise.

What’s even more surprising is that I have several more books in progress based on the things I’ve learned. I simply didn’t want to cram everything into this one publication. I hope this introductory publication will serve as an excellent starting point for others to explore credible information on food and brain recovery.

My Passion for Research and Learning

As a side note, I must admit that I am an information enthusiast. I thoroughly enjoy diving into extensive research and facts about complex topics. Truth be told, I prefer to spend my Friday nights Googling information about the brain, dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, and other fascinating subjects. Yes, I’m proud to be a nerd! ;)

This blog post is a chapter from “Crumbs in My Head: How Food Affects the Traumatized Brain – In Simple Terms” written by Nick Norman, originally published in 2017. While once available in print, its content—nearly 50 chapters and growing—is now shared through blogs, guest articles, and other platforms.

Though copyrighted, the material is freely accessible. If you’d like to share updated research, relevant links, or are interested in a print version, contact Nick Norman.