We hope you've been enjoying our series on mind-boosting all-natural foods to keep you sharp and on the ball from sun up to sunset. Our last installment, which included goji berries, hazelnuts, and iron-rich foods like spinach, was a hit, so another round of delicious and nutritious foods is just what the doctor (and your boss) ordered so you can keep you going strong on full-throttle mode when the workload won't quit. With these mind-boosting edibles, your body and brain won't quit either!
Let's move on to J, K, and L, keeping the alphabet in time with your appetite! Eating well means doing your body and mind a service rather than filling yourself with junky processed foods and energy-boosters that are full of artificial ingredients. The key to staying laser-sharp and focused is clean and strategic eating. Dig in!
Java
A cuppa Joe is almost always readily available in the office, and if not, there are plenty of places to pick up a cup to tote to work. Or just brew a pot at home and get started before heading out for the day.
According to Huffington Post, "Caffeine, the mild stimulant found in coffee, improves mental acuity. Aside from caffeine's brain boosting effects, coffee's antioxidant richness helps maintain brain health."
Lay off those high-sugar coffeehouse concoctions and go for a regular cup instead. You'll save calories and the crash of that short-lived sugar high. If you have trouble sleeping, cease your coffee consumption mid-day. Otherwise, sip a few cups per day and watch how much better your focus and concentration becomes. Coffee really does have its perks!
Kale
Lots of folks are on a kale kick for its generous health-enhancing properties. As per MindBodyGreen, "(Kale is) a great low-carb vegetable that's rich in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as potassium and iron."
Dr. Axe adds, "Getting regular helpings of leafy green brain foods — like kale, Swiss chard and romaine lettuce — can help keep dementia at bay. Adults who eat a serving of leafy green veggies once or twice a day experience slower mental deterioration than those who eat no vegetables."
So rather than going for the boring iceberg lettuce, choose kale instead. It's much tastier, has higher levels of fiber, and will keep your mind from wilting as the day grows long.
Lentils
On a cool afternoon, or even a warm one, for that matter, opt for a filling bowl of lentil soup for lunch or add lentils to your salads and sauces. They will boost your food's flavor and your mind power the healthy way.
According to Active Beat, "This colorful legume is super rich in folate, a type of B vitamin that enhances brain power and increases the dopamine function within brain, to boost both performance and mood."
Sharecare also recommends lentils for brain-boosting goodness. "Lentils provide a steady stream of glucose to your brain. Glucose, a sugar and key source of energy for cells in the body, is the only fuel your brain can use. The high fiber content of lentils is a key component in keeping your brain in optimal shape."
Mom always pushed you to eat lentils and she was on to something!
Check out more foods with mind-boosting properties. The a, b, cs, the d, e, fs, and the g, h, is. Plus go for some mackerel, nuts, or oats for a brain boost!
