We often think about how to keep our body healthy and looking sharp, but do you ever think about keeping your brain healthy?
Certain foods help us generate more brain cells, keeping our brains active. Our brain needs 3 things in order to stay healthy: omega-3 fats, (which is the main component of our brain), antioxidants and Vitamin B12.
Foods to feed your brain:
- Antioxidants: dark-colored fruits—blackberries, blueberries, plums, and cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage radish, turnips, that contains sulforaphane, which helps our body produce antioxidants
- Omega-3s: seafood, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts (For more foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, visit my previous post: Good Fats vs. Bad Fats: http://lilfitbirdie.com/good-fats-vs-bad-fats/)
- Vitamin B12: fish, liver, milk, eggs
Try to cut back on refined carbohydrates, such as white flour (opt for whole wheat flour), pasta and potatoes.
Physical and mental exercises are also important in maintaining our cognitive abilities. While some of us thought calculus was useless, it serves as a brain exercise, keeping us away from memory problems later in life.
Next time you sit down for a meal, hit the gym, or go to math class, you’ll know that you’re working to achieve a healthier brain!