Menus That Will Make You Smarter
No matter how old we are, most of us do not want to feel “old”. Somewhere north of 30, we start to realize that we feel different than we did before. We think a lot about our physical strength. If you have been here awhile, you have certainly heard us say that strong is the new black and it never goes out of style.
Our physical strength is important as we age so we can stay healthy, prevent injuries, and most importantly continue to do all the activities we love.
But what about our mental health? And we don’t just mean maintaining a positive attitude or practicing mindfulness - though that is important too.
We mean taking care of your literal brain - the organ that controls your cognition, nervous system and ultimately your entire body.
Eating nutrient dense foods is a great way to take care of your brain so it can keep taking care of you.
The number one best thing to eat for brain health is leafy greens. Leafy greens are things like kale, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, swiss chard, bok choy and mustard greens. They are packed with vitamin B, an important nutrient for brain health. Conditions like dementia and depression are often linked to vitamin B deficiency as well.
Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are known to increase white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections. These healthy unsaturated fats have been linked to lower blood levels of beta-amyloid—the protein that forms damaging clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. You could get similar benefits by taking a fish oil supplement, but we prefer to just eat the fish.
The natural plant pigments that give berries their vibrant color can also help improve memory. Berries are packed with nutrients to help you fight colds and infections and just feel better overall. Toss them in your yogurt at breakfast, or munch on them after dinner for a low sugar dessert.
Spices. Garlic, ginger and turmeric are spices known to have immune-boosting properties and turmeric is especially good for your brain. It can benefit your memory and even help new brain cells grow. Ginger turmeric tea is one of our favorites.
Vitamin C can help prevent mental decline and also helps get rid of the free radicals that damage brain cells. To really pump up your vitamin C intake, you need citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons, and limes. Eat them whole or squeeze the juice onto your salads.
Green tea has just enough caffeine to boost brain function and alertness while still being healthy. Green tea is also filled with antioxidants which support the immune system. It can also help settle your stomach if you’re feeling nauseous.
Red peppers. Get this: ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain almost three times as much vitamin C as oranges! They also have properties that help keep your skin and eyes healthy.
Next time you’re at the grocery store, grab some of these healthy foods and add them to your summer menu. We bet just eating them will make you feel smarter!