List of Brain Food: 5 Things to Keep Your Mind Sharp
Are you super-charging your mind with good brain food?
Our brains are the engines that power our lives. We get out of our minds what we put in. Do high-performance race cars run on the same fuel as a Volkswagen Bug? No way! They would never win.
If we want exceptional results in life, then we have to feed our brains a high-octane diet especially designed to keep our minds sharp and top-performing.
All that junk food is not only making us fat and lethargic, it is putting our brains to sleep as well!
5 Brain Foods to Keep Your Mind Sharp
I’ve been doing a little research and as far as I can tell there seems to be a consensus that the following list of brain food will help us keep our brains functioning at top efficiency. These are all items that are widely available so you can’t use the excuse that you couldn’t find these!
1. Blueberries
Blueberries seem to be one of the most powerful and agreed upon super foods. They almost seem too good to be true! One cup of blueberries a day will improve your motor and learning skills, protect your brain against the ill-effects of aging and reduce the likelihood of some common brain-related diseases. If you can’t find blueberries or just need a little variety, then you can always substitute cranberries or strawberries.
2. Nuts and Seeds
Many nuts and seeds are excellent sources of Vitamin E. Scientists have found that Vitamin E helps to protect against cognitive decline with its antioxidant properties. You can eat a handful a day of walnuts, sunflower seeds or almonds for a great brain treat. However, you want to avoid larger serving sizes because of the high calories this brain food carries.
3. Avocados
Avocados are packed with fat. Is that good?!? Well, it is if it is monounsaturated fat which actually promotes healthy blood flow. Good circulation is imperative to proper brain function. A quarter to a half of an avocado a day is plenty to reap the rewards without blimping up from the high calories. Avocados can also lower blood pressure which is good for cognitive ability.
4. Wild Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain with their anti-inflammatory elements. Wild Salmon is an especially good source of Omega-3. A four-ounce serving about three times per week will protect your brain from aging, improve your moods and reduce the risk of stroke. If you need a substitute, you might try sardines or herring.
5. Dark Chocolate
I love dark chocolate and it is loaded with antioxidants! Chocolates also stimulate the production of endorphins which improves moods. A small, one-ounce serving per day of good quality dark chocolate high in cacao will give you the maximum benefit.
This List of Brain Food Will Keep You Thinking Smart
Eat these brain foods on a daily basis and you will super-charge your mind! Think of all the wonderful things you will accomplish once your brain is fed all the super foods it loves. You’ll be living at peak performance and enjoying all the rewards!
What other brain foods should be on this list? Leave me a comment and let me know.
Photo by JohnMason
Thanks for the great information. It’s good to see dark chocolate on the list, one of my favorites. Actually all of these are really tasty. Now I just need to get out there and stock up! Probably another supplement that could be added to the list is omega-3 fatty acids: either in the form of fish oil pills or flax oil pills.
Steve-Personal Success Factors´s last blog ..If You Don’t Get Your SWAT Together, You’ll Hate Yourself Later!!
Steve – It is true that all these are tasty and widely available. I like keeping it practical and easy. Our brains need fuel just like the rest of our bodies. These foods make it easy to super-charge our thinking power!
I’m glad you included the word “wild” in front of salmon. All meat and fish is of lower quality when it is farmed. Meat should be not only “grass fed” but “grass finished” and fish should be wild caught to ensure normal Omega-6/omega-3 ratios.
Dave @ 30 Days At A Time´s last blog ..30 Day Challenge: February 2010
Dave – Agreed. Wild salmon is certainly the best. Thanks for emphasizing this point!
I really like the list. Keep up the recommendations.
Aaron Shaw´s last blog ..Safari Baby Animals
will any kind of fish do the job or just wild salmon? thanks for the post
Farouk – You can substitute herring or sardines for wild salmon, but wild salmon is richest in the fatty acids that your brain craves.
Ahoy Jeff!
I can absolutely agree, especially when it comes to Avocado and Dark Chocolate.
I have just recently found a great recipe of an avocado soup over at Zen to Fitness, be sure to check it out!
http://zentofitness.com/why-we-should-all-eat-avocado/
With great wishes,
Zoli
I love to see lists of what other people feel are healthy foods for them. We’re all totally unique beings, ya know? Thank you for giving us a peek into your preferred “brain foods”.
Blueberries are one of my favorites, too. My body feels like it sings “thank you!” when I pop those brightly blue-purple colored berries into my mouth.
Dark leafy greens would be even higher on my list. Their proven ability to heal even the most “incurable” of diseases is fascinating to me. And again, the lusciously bright green shade is so appealing. Chlorophyll & antioxidant rich!
Note: Omega 3 acids are widely available in non-animal sources and don’t carry the associated caveats. Just a thought
Be blessed everyone!
Lauren Lionheart´s last blog ..Top 12 Ways Super Greens Make You Feel Good