It’s no secret that what you eat plays a huge role in your brainpower and mood. You’ve probably heard it’s a bad idea to shop hungry—studies show you end up with way more junk and unhealthy food in your cart. Now, an intriguing study reveals what to eat before major decisions like buying a car or accepting a job offer, so you can choose wisely.
How Hunger Hurts Your Decisions
Benjamin Vincent from the University of Dundee’s psychology department in Scotland and his team explored how hunger affects brain function. Participants were tested twice: once following their usual eating routine, and once after fasting all day. Each time, they chose between three rewards: food, money, or music downloads.
Experts found that when hungry, participants picked smaller immediate rewards instead of waiting for a bigger payoff later.
For example, they were offered double the reward if they waited 35 days, but hunger made them willing to wait only about 3 days.
Your Brain Feels It When Your Stomach Rumbles
The lead researcher explained they wanted to see if hunger affects only food choices. It turned out that we focus much more on the present when our stomachs are empty. Since hunger is a universal feeling, it was important to uncover its less obvious effects on decisions and choices.
What’s the Best Fuel for Your Brain?
A previous study from Cambridge University showed that serotonin plays a key role in decision-making.
“Since tryptophan, the building block of serotonin, can only be obtained from outside sources, its drop between meals can cause chemical changes.”
Lower tryptophan levels can lead to aggression and impulsiveness. That’s why the English term “hangry” was coined—to describe hunger-driven anger.
Foods rich in tryptophan include chicken broth, chocolate, red meats, dairy, nuts and seeds, bananas, tuna, shellfish, and soy-based products. So next time you face a big decision, pick from these to keep your mind sharp and clear.
