Does dieting lower IQ?

Does dieting lower IQ?		chaoticidealism
		May 09 2008 22:48
OK, I'm a 210-pound female on an 1800-calorie diet. While I was eating enough for my weight, my school performance was good and it was relatively easy to concentrate. Now, on 1800 calories, my performance is down, my grades are down, and I can't concentrate worth crap. Should I go back to eating enough to save my grades?

Page [1] 2 of 2		Post Reply
#21	alevin	May 11 2008 20:18
chaotic, the suggestions to refine your eating pattern are good. but if it's too much to think about during exam period, don't, just eat healthy foods in good portions. after exams are done, you can experiment with what lets you keep a calorie deficit without feeling hungry: * get enough fat (I eat 25% to 30% fat and if I go too low I get cranky and can't concentrate. I've lost 30 lbs since September.) * get enough protein. especially start the day with some protein for breakfast. * get enough fiber, with fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. * do some exercise to be able to eat a bit more and maintain a deficit * start at 2000 calories per day and lower it by 100 cal per week, and see what you can tolerate without hunger / lack of concentration. I've never been able to tolerate more than 500 cal deficit, and you may be happier at 250-300. If that's a lot to think about during exams, don't worry about it. If it took 10 years to put on, you can maintain on healthy food for another few weeks and then figure out how to take it off in a healthy way.
#22	peacelovehominy	May 11 2008 22:10
Original Post by chaoticidealism: Why fat? The brain runs exclusively on glucose. no. it runs on fat
#23	trustwomen	May 11 2008 22:20
I gotta interject here. The brain does run on glucose. By "run" I mean here "use as its preferred fuel source". When there is no glucose available (like with prolonged fasting or carb restriction), it CAN run on ketones, which are byproducts of fat breakdown - but it doesn't work at its best in that situation. So it isn't exclusively run on glucose - in a pinch, ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier and act as a backup fuel. But when there is glucose available to it, it will accept nothing less. Fat IS important to the brain inasmuch as it promotes brain development - especially in children - by strengthening cell membranes. So in a way you are both right. A healthy brain requires healthy fats, as well as carbohydrates that it can turn into glucose. A balanced diet that includes healthy carbohydrates and fats, as well as protein, is best.
Page [1] 2 of 2		Post Reply