I dont know if there's any real research on this, but something like a paleo diet with ample healthy fats, vitamins and protein, and low-inflammation from avoiding sugar/wheat/excess carbs, is likely best.
Calorie surplus is necessary for packing on pounds of extra protein-dense muscle... its not going to be as necessary for the relatively small biomass changes involved in new neuronal connections.
I would think calorie deficit wouldn't matter much for learning, but it might affect things like neurotransmitter production, for which you need ample amino acids/ vitamins/healthy fats.
A low-inflammation brain is definitely important. Inflammation restricts neuroplasticity. Getting off the sugar/wheat and bad fats and getting omega-3's in really helps there.
Personally I get the best focus and mental energy from about maintenance calories on a paleo type diet, with MCTs from coconut oil and the nice "calm caffeine" energy you get from steadily drinking green tea as I work. MCTs are also awesome brain fuel and cognitive boosters.
My intuition is that a big calorie deficit will be detrimental... fasting triggers a stress response in your body, and I dont think that's optimal for learning. Intermittent fasting is good for your cognitive health though, check out autophagy.
Sleep is at least as big a factor as diet too.
I would probably also eat carbs after heavy workouts too, for recovery. But not at other times.
Calorie surplus is necessary for packing on pounds of extra protein-dense muscle... its not going to be as necessary for the relatively small biomass changes involved in new neuronal connections.
I would think calorie deficit wouldn't matter much for learning, but it might affect things like neurotransmitter production, for which you need ample amino acids/ vitamins/healthy fats.
A low-inflammation brain is definitely important. Inflammation restricts neuroplasticity. Getting off the sugar/wheat and bad fats and getting omega-3's in really helps there.
Personally I get the best focus and mental energy from about maintenance calories on a paleo type diet, with MCTs from coconut oil and the nice "calm caffeine" energy you get from steadily drinking green tea as I work. MCTs are also awesome brain fuel and cognitive boosters.
My intuition is that a big calorie deficit will be detrimental... fasting triggers a stress response in your body, and I dont think that's optimal for learning. Intermittent fasting is good for your cognitive health though, check out autophagy.
Sleep is at least as big a factor as diet too.
I would probably also eat carbs after heavy workouts too, for recovery. But not at other times.