TOPS discusses five best foods for brain health

TOPS Chapter 9319 El Dorado Springs met in The Firefly Services building 700 E. Hospital Rd., on Thursday, March 26, for their regular weigh-in and meeting.

Our Leader, Warren called the meeting to order.

Carol led us in singing “Rock Off The Pounds.”

We said our TOPS & KOPS pledges.

Warren led us in roll call, 16 members weighed in today, we had a gain of 3.0 pounds and a loss of 7.6 pounds, giving us a net loss of 4.6 pounds. The week’s best loser was Pat with a 4.0 loss. Congratulations Pat, way to go.

Contest: Today ends the current contest. Seven members paid to join the contest but only a few turned in their results. Jan was the 2nd place winner with 258 points and Sue was the first- place winner with 276 points. Sue won $14 and the chapter received $14. Congratulations Sue and Jan you guys did great.

Warren had the program today: He spoke on something we all struggle with, memory. He did some research on how to keep your brain healthy.

He found the five best foods for brain health are: Fatty Fish, followed by pumpkin seeds, Dark Chocolate coco powder at least 70%, Turmeric and broccoli. The best in the fatty fish category is sardines but salmon and trout are also in that category.

Physical activity to exercise the brain. Word apps, card games, chess, puzzles and yarn and fabric projects are a few examples.

Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar is also important. Some things to help with this is; physical activity, healthy food, regular sleep, reduce stress, social activity and pets to take care of all help to keep the brain healthy and reduce blood pressure and blood sugar.

Warren then looked up bad things for our brain, some are; SUGAR, sugary sodas and soft drinks, processed deli meats, trans fats such as fried foods and pastries.

Foods that provide low nutritional value: white bread, doughnuts, cereals made from refined flour and excessive alcohol consumption.

Bottom line: read labels, avoid processed foods and above all: everything in moderation.

Thank you, Warren, for a helpful and informative program.

Marble Game: there is $33.50 in the pot, Marie won the right to draw but did not get the winning one.

Carol is celebrating 18 accumulative years as a KOPS and 11 of those are consecutive.

Steve is celebrating three accumulative years as a KOPS and one of those years is consecutive.

With no other business we closed with our motto “IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME”

TOPS #MO 9319 meets each Thursday morning in the Firefly Services building” at 700 E Hospital Rd, El Dorado Springs. Weigh-in starts at 7:45 a.m. the meeting begins at 8:45 a.m. and is over by 10 a.m. For more information call Linda at 417-876-7404.  Come and join us.

TOPS toll-free number 1 800-932-8677 or you can find us on the web at www.tops.org.