Tracy Packiam Alloway, PhD

Spare a thought for Jean who has tried all sorts of diet programs from Weight Watchers to the cabbage-soup diet. Every attempt has resulted in short-term success but long-term failure. Her doctor has given her several warnings about how her obesity will shorten her life. Yet she can’t seem to shed the weight.

You might be wondering: So what does working memory have to do with this?

More than you think. There are a growing number of studies linking working memory to dieting patterns. A study of healthy females found that those who dieted more frequently were more likely to have low working memory levels equivalent to those with anxiety and clinical depression. This means that a preoccupation with weight loss leads to working memory problems. These working memory problems can manifest themselves in a range of ways, from trouble focusing in conversations to forgetting simple instructions; even forgetting to stop by the store to pick up milk on your way home.

But before you pick up that third chocolate doughnut, this is not an endorsement to overindulge for your brain. Instead, if you are following a diet and eating plan, it is important to pick one that maximizes your working memory instead of reduces it. Another study found that a High-Carbohydrate/Low Fat diet is more likely to increase working memory skills compared to a Low-Carbohydrate/High Fat (such as the Atkins).

So eat for your working memory: pass on the bacon and pick the baked potato instead.