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3 Foods to Eat for Brain Health

With summer just around the corner, there are so many things we want to get out and do to soak up the sun and enjoy ourselves. After months of rain, snow, darkness, and generally shorter days, we are all more than ready to bask in the glory that is our Canadian summer!

Foods for Brain Health

As we become busier and commit to more events, we tend to forget that nutrition is important—we need to stay healthy in order to be happy and enjoy life! Foods that supply us with energy, good memory, and positivity should be focused on, so you can be awake and keep up with your to-do list. It’s important to eat with intention, and this is why you should be consuming foods that your brain will love.

You can’t appreciate the present when you’re exhausted. Right?!

Here are 3 top brain foods that you should add to your grocery list stat, so you can plow through your springtime bucket list with increased mental clarity and sustained energy:

Blueberries

Blueberries are a refreshing and healthy treat. They can be used in so many different ways for any meal or snack during the day. They protect your brain from oxidative stress, and reduce the rate of age-related conditions.

It’s inevitable that with so much to do, our cortisol levels can greatly increase over the course of weeks or months. So why not add blueberries to your morning oatmeal, smoothie or cereal? They can also be a welcome addition to your salad at lunch, or the perfect topping for a dairy-free yogurt parfait on a warm, sunny day.

Also, they don’t need to be fresh. Blueberry season is usually July and August, but flash-frozen blueberries are just as high in antioxidants and nutrients as the other guys. So go ahead and shop the freezer aisle, taking care to look for organic berries.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts are packed with high levels of vitamin E, fiber, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. They are an excellent source of healthy fats and give you increased energy and physical endurance. This is exactly what your brain needs for the last few hours at work, or before you head out to take the kids to their soccer practice!

There are endless varieties of nuts, including walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, and pecans. Some popular seed varieties include sesame, sunflower, pumpkin (pepita), and chia.

Nuts can be added to your morning oatmeal and smoothies, or work just as well on their own as a snack—just remember to use sparingly, because although they are healthy, they are also calorie-dense.

Avocados

Avocados are one of the only fruits that have healthy monounsaturated fats and contain over 20 vitamins and minerals! When added to your diet, this plant-based food provides many benefits, including increased energy, shiny hair, healthy skin, and a dose of brain power!

Avocados are also proven to provide a decreased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Your brain needs rich fruits like this, so the rest of our body can synchronize and follow suit! You can learn more about the benefits of avocados from Best Health Magazine.

Give you and your brain the food and energy it needs to maximize your fun and keep you from burning out, while you play in the sun.

Happy spring! Go eat for your brain. (And if you need help designing a great food plan, I’m here. Work with me!)