Nutrition does more than feed the body, it also gives the mind the fuel it needs to make every day as successful and productive as can be. We're going through the alphabet from A-Z to bring you brain-boosting foods that are not only healthy, but full of all the good stuff that makes our minds work at their peak performance.
From avocados tolentils, delicious foods that make our bellies happy are also giving our brains something to signal our mouths to smile about. Here are more mind-boosting nutritious foods to add to your grocery list – mackerel, nuts, and oats.
Mackerel
Holy mackerel! Eating this fish is not only something to entice your taste buds, but it will have your brain fishing for another bite. BBC Good Food recommends oily fish like mackerel to enhance brainpower. "The main sources of oily fish include salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and kippers." The DHA in these fish is, "important for healthy brain function, the heart, joints and our general well-being."
People with low levels of DHA have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, as per BBC Good Food. Plus, DHA, "is thought to help us manage stress and helps make the good mood brain chemical, serotonin."
So order the mackerel at your favorite seafood restaurant or grill or poach a filet at home. You'll not only love the flavor, but the favor this omega-3-packed fish will do to scale things up in the intellectual department!
Nuts
If you're nuts for nuts, then you're in luck, because nuts are brain food that are fun to munch and snack on. According to Forbes, "Nuts, especially walnuts, are extremely good for the brain and nervous system. They also contain vitamin E, which has been shown to prevent many forms of dementia by protecting the brain from free radicals."
There are so many variety of nuts to choose from, so mix and match or find a favorite to stick with. A handful of nuts is satisfying and easy grab any time of day. You may feel nuts, but at least you won't lose your mind!
Oats
Start your day with a warm bowl of oatmeal and you'll set yourself up for a productive and energized day to come. As per Shape, "The primary fuel for your brain is glucose, which comes from carbohydrates such as those abundant in oats. Since your body breaks down the carbs in whole-grain oats very slowly, they help keep you sharp for several hours."
Go for whole grain oats and reap the best of their benefits from head to toe. You'll be filled up and fueled up for a day that's sure to be a success. A bowl to stay on the ball is a meal worth digging your teeth into!
Want more? Check out these tasty and good-for-you treats. And if you missed the last installment, check out how java, kale, and lentils make the grade.
