Foods That Are Great for Brain Health

 

Eating right for brain health might be a new concept. Most people focus on foods that help them lose and maintain weight or give them peak performance physically so it may not occur to them to eat for their brain’s health too. From birth till death, our brain is responsible for nearly every function of the body. The brain tells the systems how and when to operate and the brain regulates how the systems carry out their duties. Of all the organs in the body, the brain has the biggest and most important job.

 

The best foods for brain health are: 

• Complex Carbs
• Antioxidants
• Omega Fatty Acids

 

Finding foods from each category is pretty easy. Many whole foods you already love are already doing the trick. Adding some new foods to your lineup could close any gaps and make sure you’re eating a wide variety of foods that optimize brain function.

 

Complex carbs give you longevity and energy. Eating complex carbs fuels your body and your brain. Some of the best sources are:

Oats (Organic to avoid glyphosate)

Beans

Brown rice

Quinoa

Split peas

Squash
Cruciferous veggies

Many of these foods provide the added benefit of healthy fiber that helps keep your gut and your digestive tract functioning well too.

If you are eating low carb most of these foods are not going to be on your diet list.  In that case, focus on complex carbs found in vegetables like sweet potatoes, squash and cruciferous veggies.

 

Antioxidants combat oxidative stress to the brain.  Free radicals are dangerous for brain health. Counteracting and reducing the impact of free radicals is easier with antioxidant-rich foods. Some of the best sources of antioxidant foods are:

Berries

Leafy greens

Beans

Dark chocolate

Tomatoes

Corn

Green tea

 

The wonderful thing about antioxidant-rich foods is the wide variety within each category. There are many types of berries, beans and dark green leafy veggies to choose from. That makes it easy to choose foods that are rich in antioxidants without feeling bored. 

 

Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids taste great! We all know that high-fat foods tend to taste great. Foods that are higher in fat are satisfying and have great mouth feel which makes consuming them easier. Try these foods to boost your brain health and your weekly menu:

Fatty fish

Nuts

Seeds

Flax and chia seeds

Avocado

Seaweed

Beans

Wild Rice

Spinach

 

These fun foods add variety and flavor to your menu while also providing excellent health and nutrition for your brain.

It’s easy to create menus that include foods from each category- some foods even offer multiple benefits in one. Have fun choosing foods that you already love and try incorporating new foods into the mix.