Feeding Your BrainAs a typical student, I suffer from daily stress, lack of sleep, and lack of proper nutrition. I spent countless sleepless nights; my body and brain fueled only by coffee, chocolate and pizza, to complete an assignment or study for an exam. As a result, I may have done better on the test, but I was very mean to my body and my brain. In terms of nutrition, it is important to consider the brain as just another organ. The food and other substances we put into our bodies affect our behavior, mood, thoughts, and emotions. The brain responds very quickly to good nutrition. However, as a student who dines in the dining hall daily, I am likely not getting the nutrients needed to maximize my brain potential. In this article, I'll take you through a day of brain-friendly eating and explain why our brains and bodies need more than coffee, chocolate, and pizza to thrive and survive. Breakfast: 2 hard-boiled eggs, 1 glass of orange juice and yogurt with fresh blueberries. Most people eat a high-carb breakfast of cereal, toast, or pancakes after a night's sleep because the body craves these types of foods when its blood sugar levels are low. However, meals high in carbohydrates increase the level of the amino acid tryptophan in the brain, which increases serotonin levels. Glucose from digested carbohydrates causes the body to secrete insulin. Insulin tells cells to pull amino acids, except tryptophan, out of the bloodstream for storage. Thus, tryptophan continues to circulate and is available to neurons which use it to make serotonin. Serotonin is a calming neurotransmitter that makes you feel relaxed and satisfied. Serotonin is an essential neurotransmitter for well-...... middle of paper ...... rain properly, it seems like I should give up all the luxury food items, like chocolate and fried foods that I I simply love it. So, my next question is: what is the place of these luxury foods? Why do I crave these brain-unfriendly foods and how does the brain deal with these cravings? Sources WWW1) Nutrition and your brain: fats for structure, from the Brain.com website http://216.34.251.136/about/article.cfm ? ID=2015&cat_id=372) Nutrition and your brain: Fruits and vegetables for protection, from the website Brain.comhttp://216.34.251.136/about/article.cfm?ID=2164&cat_id=373) Nutrition and your brain: Carbohydrates for Energy, from the Brain.com website http://216.34.251.136/about/article.cfm?ID=2163&cat_id=374) Nutrition and your brain: Protein for function, from the website Brain.com http://216.34.251.136 /about/article.cfm?ID=2016&cat_id=12