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Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

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Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#11

Post by Mz »

Hydration, which requires more than mere water. You need electrolytes and other things to stay properly hydrated. That piece shouldn't be "news" to anyone. We have an entire industry built on producing sports drinks which contain sugars and electrolytes.

I find sea salt is better than table salt. Certain carbs, like aloe drinks, better than sugar per se. And I find that I stay better hydrated when I get enough of the right oils and avoid oils that I personally have issues with. I find butter and palm oils helpful, but I would suggest you try an elimination diet and figure out for yourself which oils are helpful for you as an individual and which are a problem.

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#12

Post by lrsuccess »

Drink plenty of water, avoid foods with lots of sugar and avoid pasta as is makes you tired. Also, instead of eating 3 big meals per day, eat small meals/snacks often, it will keep your energy going.

Don't forget to exercise and of course to get some sleep! That what works best for me.

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#13

Post by spiffistan »

I drink tea instead of coffee. This is probably the smartest thing I've done as a programmer. I find that drinking tea makes me able to retain my energy over a longer period than with coffee (or colas, which absolutely nukes my energy after a short period). I probably consume three teapots of white tea (specifically White Peony/Bai Mu Dan) per day. I find this particular tea oddly stabilising and being lighter than black and green tea, it's not as savoury, which means I can drink it all day long.

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#14

Post by callmeed »

spiffistan wrote: post #13

I drink tea instead of coffee. This is probably the smartest thing I've done as a programmer. I find that drinking tea makes me able to retain my energy over a longer period than with coffee (or colas, which absolutely nukes my energy after a short period). I probably consume three teapots of white tea (specifically White Peony/Bai Mu Dan) per day. I find this particular tea oddly stabilising and being lighter than b…

Interesting. On the tea,

Do you end up getting the same amount of caffeine over the course of the day?

Where do you buy your tea?

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#15

Post by spiffistan »

callmeed wrote: post #14
spiffistan wrote: post #13

I drink tea instead of coffee. This is probably the smartest thing I've done as a programmer. I find that drinking tea makes me able to retain my energy over a longer period than with coffee (or colas, which absolutely nukes my energy after a short period). I probably consume three teapots of white tea (specifically White Peony/Bai Mu Dan) per day. I find this particular tea oddly stabilising and being lighter than b…

Interesting. On the tea, Do you end up getting the same amount of caffeine over the course of the day? Where do you buy your tea?

Probably not the same level, as the tea has a lot less. I think for white tea it's probably on the order of 5-30mg per cup, although this is quite random and varies greatly from season to season and with when the leaves are picked. (I suppose using this reasoning that the first flush teas are more loaded than later pickings)

I order my teas online at jingtea.com and palaisdesthes.com

A side note; I just ordered another 250g bag of this: http://jingtea.com/tea/type/white/white-peony which I highly recommend!

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#16

Post by spiffistan »

specialist wrote: post #10

I've been transitioning to the troglodiet (tm): fresh veggies, legumes, meat. More or less the caveman diet, Atkins, paleo, Eat to Live, etc. This Dr Terry Wahls TEDx talk has been very motivating. Minding Your Mitochondria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc Dr. Wahls is mitigating her MS thru nutrition. For me, eating lots of vegetables makes my chronic psoriasis go away. When I slack on the nutrition (eg tr…

That video was intensely great. Personally, when I'm unable (or rather, too lazy) to eat a lot of veggies, I just pop a couple of spirulina and chlorella (algae) tablets, which have all the vitamins except D and B12, if I remember correcly.

Specifically, these ones: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-greenfoods-formulas-c...

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#17

Post by uberc »

cincinnatus wrote: post #7
uberc wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good tip. As someone who doesn't do well with coffee -- it makes me twitchy -- I find green tea helpful. I drink it several days a weak, in part for the general anti-oxidant health benefits, in part for the caffeine boost. But I feel like it sharpens my brain to use my available energy better, more effectively, so perhaps unlike most caffeine-consumers I tend to drink it only when I already feel fully rested. It does…

If you into it you will find tea is popular with monks for sustaining meditation. Tea has more than caffeine, there are other useful compounds as well. Much better for focus than coffee. If you are good at power naps (i.e. can drift off in under 10 minutes in the right conditions) you can try a tea rebound nap; make a strong cup of tea and drink it quickly just before you lay down for a snooze. You'll drift off befor…

Interesting. I'm going to try that. Yes, the hard-reset of a power nap can be hugely efficient. I almost feel like I get two days in one thanks to the fresh energy I have afterwards.

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#18

Post by bernatfp »

spiffistan wrote: post #16
specialist wrote: post #10

I've been transitioning to the troglodiet (tm): fresh veggies, legumes, meat. More or less the caveman diet, Atkins, paleo, Eat to Live, etc. This Dr Terry Wahls TEDx talk has been very motivating. Minding Your Mitochondria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc Dr. Wahls is mitigating her MS thru nutrition. For me, eating lots of vegetables makes my chronic psoriasis go away. When I slack on the nutrition (eg tr…

That video was intensely great. Personally, when I'm unable (or rather, too lazy) to eat a lot of veggies, I just pop a couple of spirulina and chlorella (algae) tablets, which have all the vitamins except D and B12, if I remember correcly. Specifically, these ones: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-greenfoods-formulas-c...

I appreciate this point since I really hate vegetables. Can these tablets replace them?

Re: Ask HN: tips for fueling your brain each day?

#19

Post by uberc »

specialist wrote: post #10

I've been transitioning to the troglodiet (tm): fresh veggies, legumes, meat. More or less the caveman diet, Atkins, paleo, Eat to Live, etc. This Dr Terry Wahls TEDx talk has been very motivating. Minding Your Mitochondria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc Dr. Wahls is mitigating her MS thru nutrition. For me, eating lots of vegetables makes my chronic psoriasis go away. When I slack on the nutrition (eg tr…

Motivating video indeed. The slide showing what percent of Americans fail to get the RDA for various nutrients is eye-opening. Thanks.
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