Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are devastating diseases. Many of us have been directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in our immediate families; it’s a long road for everyone involved, but especially for the victim while she’s still “with it” enough to know she’s slipping and losing her cognitive ability and independence.

It is our generation, the baby boom generation, that is most at risk. You need to know what to “feed your head,” but what kinds of foods should you eat to keep your brain healthy?

A big part of eating well is knowing what not to eat. Sugar, simple carbs, and trans fats are at the top of the “don’t eat” list. This means you need to ditch fast food and all things beige ASAP!

Clean out your pantry and your fridge! Everything in a box goes. You have to become a tag reader. Anything with condoms on it is also thrown away. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydrozitoluene) plus nitrates and nitrites are common preservatives. reading tags; detect them; then don’t eat them!

You should also consider marketing efforts; We can all be misled by the false feeling that you are making good healthy eating choices for yourself and your family based on today’s health fads. For example, “gluten-free” has become a popular health phrase of our time, but keep in mind that just because something is gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free and trans-fat free. Eating well is so simple that it often seems complicated.

Go for the color! Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables that are colorful is an easy way to choose foods rich in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are compounds found in fruits and vegetables that actually protect those plants. Phytonutrients, when consumed, are believed to help protect us from diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Learn to eat healthy fats. Did you know that your brain is made up of approximately 60 percent fat? Contrary to the “wisdom” of the past, we now know that it is important to consume fat, but it should be healthy fat. Avoid low-fat and fat-free products; instead, eat foods with healthy fats like avocados and nuts, and cook with olive oil instead of an oil like canola oil.

Learn how to eat a healthy and vibrant diet now that is rich in phytonutrients and healthy fats; When you’re 80 and still recognize your family members, you’ll be glad you did!