Eat For Better Brain

It doesn’t matter how brainy you are or how much education you’ve had – you can still improve and expand your mind. Boosting your mental faculties doesn’t have to mean studying hard or becoming a reclusive book worm. There are lots of tricks, techniques and habits, as well as changes to your lifestyle, diet and behavior that can help you flex your grey matter and get the best out of your brain cells. We all want to keep our minds sharp and fresh. By working to keep your mind sharp, you can improve your attitude. Nothing angers a person more than not being able to remember important things or events. By having a sharp mind you can figure situations out more effectively and make wiser decisions. There are numerous ways to keep your mind sharp while keeping a good, well-rounded attitude. Brain foods consist mainly of fruits and vegetables containing nutrients that are good for brain function.  The brain is a complex organ that has special nutritional needs. The good news is that the same foods that are good for the brain are also good for the rest of your body. How you manage your carbohydrates can also affects your brain. By eating small frequent meals, you provide a steady stream of energy to the brain. This prevents mood swings and reduces bodily stress, both of which can affect your thinking. Complex carbohydrates are preferable because they provide a slow and steady stream of energy. Eating well, then, is one key to a healthy brain. But a word of warning do not overeat. This puts oxidative stress on the brain and risks undoing all the good work those antioxidants have been up to. Breakfast should be high protein and complex carbohydrates. Chlorine is found in eggs and nuts. It augments brain and memory development. Whole grain foods are complex carbohydrates which contain iron, float and other B vitamins which help improve mental alertness, memory function and are rich in fiber, providing a steady stream of energy so your child can “endure” a full day of learning and ace that math test. Iron is also found in lean red meat and leafy vegetables such as spinach. Omega-3 fatty acids are important in bolstering and maintaining cognitive function, omega-3 fatty acids are “healthy fats” and are found in a variety of foods including fish, avocado, or ground flaxseed, nuts, and heart-healthy oils (like flaxseed or olive oil). Caution should be used however in incorporating fish into children’s diets.