Eat Smarter Together: Family, Food, and Brain Health with Shawn Stevenson
Oct 9, 2023
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Shawn Stevenson, creator and health expert, discusses the importance of social connections, nutritious foods, and family meals for brain health and overall well-being. He addresses the impact of behavioral change, building strong family bonds, and the power of quality time and relationships. Shawn also highlights the benefits of joining the Quick Success Program and emphasizes the significance of omega-3 fatty acids for brain health.
Eating together as a family influences food choices and promotes better health outcomes.
Maintaining healthy social connections has a significant impact on overall health and longevity.
Deep dives
The Impact of Social Connections on Food Choices
Eating together as a family has a significant impact on food choices and health outcomes. Research shows that families who eat together consistently consume fewer ultra-processed foods like chips and soda, and opt for more whole, real foods like fruits and vegetables. This not only leads to higher essential nutrient intake but also helps prevent diseases. Additionally, studies reveal that children who eat with their parents three times a week have lower rates of obesity and disordered eating. Even in low-income environments, eating with family members four times a week reduces consumption of ultra-processed foods and increases servings of fruits and vegetables. These findings highlight the important role of social connections in shaping food choices and overall health.
The Power of Social Ties and Healthy Relationships
Maintaining healthy social ties has a significant impact on overall health and longevity. Research shows that healthy relationships can lead to a 50% reduction in all-cause mortality. This effect is even more powerful than exercise, beating obesity, or quitting smoking. Our relationships have a profound influence on various aspects of our lives, including food choices, mental health, and exercise habits. By prioritizing and nurturing healthy supportive relationships, we enhance our overall well-being and make positive behavior changes more automatic.
The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Brain Health
Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA and EPA, play a crucial role in brain health and cognitive performance. Consuming an adequate amount of these Omega-3s is essential for optimizing brain function and preventing brain shrinkage. While supplementation is an option, it is recommended to obtain these nutrients through diet. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are excellent sources of DHA and EPA. For those following a vegan or vegetarian protocol, krill oil, rich in astaxanthin, is a recommended alternative. Prioritizing these Omega-3 rich foods supports brain health and cognitive function.
Do your social connections impact the food you eat?
What you eat matters, especially for your gray matter. It’s something you’ve heard me say a lot, but nutrition is about more than simply what you eat. It’s how you eat and who you’re eating those meals with. Every food choice, from a quick snack to an entire meal, has a huge impact on your overall health. And those decisions are influenced by the people you love.
Everything you eat, even what food you crave, is deeply entrenched in your upbringing and your surroundings. Before you can change those habits long-term, you have to change the culture you have around food and eating. Listen in as Shawn talks about how to change the way eat so that you can transform not only your body and brain, but the health of your entire family.
If you’re inspired, I want to invite you to join me in my brand NEW 10-day course, specifically designed to boost your productivity. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I give you step-by-step guides using the accelerated learning model to help you get more done and achieve your goals.