These 'Healthy' Foods May Actually Be Causing Brain Fog

Most mbg readers have likely already eliminated the major culprits, so we asked Lugavere to share a few of the so-called healthier foods contributing to the problem:

According to Lugavere, grapeseed oil (which many consider a "healthy" alternative to canola) promotes inflammation because of its skewed omega-6 to omega-3 ratio—70 percent of the fat in grapeseed oil comes from omega-6s. Omega-6s aren't bad in and of themselves, but they tend to be overconsumed in the standard American diet, leading to an inflammation-promoting imbalance. "The inflammation promotes brain fog by activating your immune system1," Lugavere explains, "which creates a sense of brain fog because the brain feels like it's being attacked2." He recommends cooking with extra-virgin olive oil, which contains anti-inflammatory phenolic compounds3, with avocado oil as a secondary good option.

Lugavere recommends avoiding all grains—even gluten-free ones—to people who are suffering from brain fog. "They’re very energy-dense and usually packed with starch," he explains. "They’re also relatively nutrient-poor."

While it's definitely convenient to be able to find bananas in New York City in the winter, Lugavere cites it as a problem for our health. "We've lost any sense of seasonality," he says. Fruits also contain quite a bit of sugar. He calls out health-world darling dates as one of the worst culprits. "Dates are perceived as being a free pass, but they contain 25 grams of sugar per date, so it's very easy to overconsume them." He explains that the sugar spikes your blood sugar, leading to a later crash that gives the sensation of "hanger." "You're hungry, and you can't focus on anything but replacing the sugar," Lugavere says. "It's the perfect recipe for brain fog."

Ready to learn more about how brain fog and your diet are intimately connected? Register now for our FREE Functional Nutrition Webinar with Dr. Mark Hyman, where you’ll learn how to banish that brain fog for good.