Step away from the Twinkies they’re making you dumb! Yup it turns out the old addage, “You are what you eat,” may have some relevance. No we’re not saying that you look like a twinkie, but you may have the IQ of one if you continue to eat them!;) Just sayin…

In case you missed it: It’s no secret excess sugar isn’t exactly sweet where your health is concerned, but now new research indicates it may take a toll on your brain as well as your waistline. While certain omega-3 fatty acids may buffer the brain from the harmful effects of fructose. While most of this is preliminary research, it’s still food for thought. And while you’re chewing on that, here are some other foods that will kill off brain cells:

• Red Meat & Butter – A diet high in “bad” saturated fat may hurt brain function.  Choose low or non-fat versions of animal products, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk.

• Chips, Pizza and Junk Food – Choose healthy snacks instead of processed cookies and chips

• Low Carb Diets -Ditching carbs can sap brainpower and energy.   Avoid diets that eliminate or severely restrict them, and choose healthy options, like whole grain pastas and breads, brown rice, and quinoa.

• Gum – This one is still up for debate, so you can chew on it for now!;)