Food for Thought: 10 Foods That Feed Your Brain

I’m coming clean today.

Leaving the house and going to work without turning off the television and the lights
really shook me up a bit.
Forgetting to turn off the fire under the teapot and letting it burn to a crisp was
extremely disturbing.
Going out of town for the weekend and discovering that I did not have my cell phone
was pretty alarming.
Arriving home to find the furniture and floor covered with water because I didn’t
remember to close the windows–despite watching the weather forecast that morning–
really rocked my socks.
But leaving my keys in the door all night was the last straw!
Yikes! We could have been robbed–or worse!
That’s when my husband taped that “don’t forget to do” list on our front door.
Now, it’s the last thing I see as I leave the house each day.
So I can mentally check off each item before locking the door.
Sure that was a quick fix by a loving spouse, but that’s also when I knew things had to change.
But seeing that scribbled note was like facing the “door of shame” every day.
And that’s when I decided to rethink my diet to make sure that I was giving my brain the
nutrients it needed to be more focused and function optimally.
Let’s face it, we are all acutely aware that as we age chronologically, the body (and brain) ages
right along with us.
But research suggests that we can increase our chances of maintaining a healthy brain well
into old age if we make sure to include certain “smart” foods in our daily diets.
Do you know which foods you should eat to support better brain health?
Sure, we all know that deep-water fish, such as wild salmon, are rich in omega-3 essential
fatty acids, which are essential for brain function.
And omega-3’s are also a good source for vital anti-inflammatory substances.
But fortunately for vegans, there are other readily-available foods that support brain
health  as well.

For example, blueberries are sometimes referred to as “brainberries” because they have been
found to help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related
conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers also found that diets rich in blueberries may significantly improve learning capacity
and motor skills.
There are so many ways to include blueberries in your diet: add them to a smoothie or a fruit salad,
top off your cereal, make a parfait, pie or cobbler.
Just make sure to eat them as often as you can.

It’s time to go a little nuts!
Sure, nuts are high in fat but those fats are the good kind.
Nuts and seeds are good sources of Vitamin E.
Studies show that higher levels of Vitamin E corresponds with less cognitive decline as
grow older.
Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts and pistachios are all providers of good fats and protein.
Nuts help to lower cholesterol.  Eat them right out of the shell with no additives.
Soak them and make marvelous nut milks in your blender.
Crush them into a fine powder and use as a coating instead of higher carb bread crumbs.
Flax seeds, like salmon, are full of omega-3 fatty acids.
Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of heart disease and other conditions
like atherosclerosis.
These seeds also contain omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.
You get a lot of power to fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes with this seed.
Ground flax seed can be added to smoothies, sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added
to pancake mix to name a few.
And don’t forget to include avocados.
The monosaturated fats in avocados contribute to healthy blood flow–and healthy blood flow
is critically important to a healthy brain.
Avocados also help to lower blood pressure which is vital.
Since hypertension is a risk factor for the decline in cognitive abilities, maintaining a proper blood
pressure level helps to keep our brains healthy.
Add avocados to your salads and smoothies or make guacamole.
Whatever you do, just make sure to make them a mainstay in your menus.
If you replace refined grains with whole, unrefined grains–your brain will thank you.
Eating whole grains, oatmeal and brown rice can help to reduce your risk for heart disease.
Since all organs are dependent on blood flow, when we promote cardiovascular health, we are
promoting proper blood flow to the brain as well.

Foods That Boost Your Brain Power

From nuts to avocados to flax seeds, chocolate, broccoli and more, here are 10 nutrient-rich
foods to keep in mind as your plan a diet  designed to boost your brain power.

Remember to Make it a Habit

Eating these brain-boosting foods regularly will give us energy, vitality and all around good health.
And eating a balanced diet full of a variety of  fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds is good for everyone.
The good new is: maybe we won’t need to keep that “don’t forget to do” list on the door anymore!
What do you do to boost your brain power? Share your challenges, experiences and suggestions.
 
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