Sometimes I think research is more fun than the actual writing.  Maybe this is because searching for new information can go on endlessly Whereas organizing all the tidbits you have found into a cohesive product is more difficult and requires more final decisions - about what to include, where and how it relates to what you want to say.

For brain food when I am writing, I have found that pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream works better than any other snack or junk food out there.   The balance of sugars and carbs is both a treat and an energy boost.  Plus, it counteracts the gallons of coffee you have consumed if you are as caffeine depended as I am!

This may also be true since most of my research regards food, food related media and the Slow Food movement....  however, I still have not decided what kind of pie goes with which particular topic yet, except that it does vary with the seasons and what fruit is available.