Food for your thoughts
Many of us have tried or are on special diets where we cut out the grains or carbs or going completely on juices! How often do we think to feed our brains well? What sort of food options do we look into for feeding this master controller of everything we do, how we do it and how we would react to the world?
A healthy mind is going to help you make even healthier life decisions. So here are eight things I would recommend you check off now and then to keep your “wits about you”...
1. Blueberries should be referred to as Brainberries ☺
Packed with nutrients, they are shown to improve brain function; help protect against oxidative damage to the delicate brain structures, ageing, radiation and inflammation!
2. Fish
We all know that fish are high in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), which is critical to support cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous system. Our bodies can't make this, and it's important we get this through our diet. Fish supplements are useful at times than certain fresh fish species as they can potentially be contaminated.
3. Other EFAs
Cannot eat fish because you're a vegetarian? No problem! - get onto consuming Nuts, Chia seeds, Olive and Coconut oil – all of which are rich in omega-3s.
4. Turmeric
I love using this in my cooking! It’s a potent natural anti-inflammatory, and it has properties that protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Fruits & Veggies
Strawberries (protect brain and memory), Avocados (high in good fats for brain, promote blood flow), Dark greens (high in Vit K which helps blood clotting), Tomatoes (has Lycopene – this helps protect cells getting damaged in illness such as Dementia/ Alzheimer’s), Bananas (high in Magnesium for growth/healing).
6. Dark Chocolate
Everyone loves chocolate!!! --- Dark chocolate helps us stay focused because it is a natural stimulant, but unlike caffeine, it doesn’t overly stimulate our central nervous system. It will also help release endorphins to get the feel-good mood going.
7. Proteins
There are many good proteins out there, but a few to mention are Goats milk products, egg yolk, chicken, liver, lean red meat, cannelloni beans and more. They all have a high intake of B1, B2, B3 – needed for brainpower, regulate mood & brain hormones, helps in proper digestion of fats which is essential for healthy brain function.
8. Brown Rice / Whole grains
This would be healthy cereals and bread, oats, rye and quinoa which are excellent in fibre, vitamins, omega-3 and folic acid!
A healthy diet is not the only way to protect the function of our brains. There are other lifestyle choices that we can explore! But our food choices do contribute. So think about Omega-3, nibble on the dark chocolate and fruits, cook with veggies and flavour some of your meals with Turmeric.
