6 Brain Foods to Improve Mood
Learn which six common Brain Foods can aid in a better mood, memory retention, and cognitive function. Allow them to benefit the mind and be used as tools to handle life’s unprecedented quirks!
Brain Foods for Your Mood
by Ginger McBride
Keeping a level headspace is essential in these trying times of life. This is an act that requires practice daily in numerous circumstances. Even when we try to be prepared for the day ahead, things naturally pop up. While we can definitely be logical creatures, we have emotional minds that need our time and attention. We can begin tending to our mental health by consuming these brain foods that help aid and balance our minds!
Carbohydrates over the years have gotten a bad rap in the diet world. However, when it comes to brain health, they are essential. They are able to keep up with our brain’s high demand for energy requirements. They primarily run off glucose, which is a fancy way of saying sugar. However, consuming complex carbohydrates over simple ones can make all the difference. The easiest way to differentiate between these two is to remember that sugar and complex are sugar plus nutrition.
Let’s dive in for some healthy fish! Salmon goes to the top of the list. Look for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids! These fatty acids help build brain and nerve cells and aid in memory retention. It’s also been found that those that lack omega-3 fatty acids were linked to impaired thinking and symptoms of depression. If there is a test coming up or trying to balance our mood, take in some healthy fish as a first step!
Berries are great for brain health! Blueberries, in particular, are packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits! This means that the antioxidants fight against inflammation that leads to various diseases or illnesses. Additionally, it aids in delaying the brain aging process and may even contribute to improved memory.
For some, sweet potatoes are a beloved favorite, and for others, it may be an acquired taste. These potatoes are rich in antioxidants as well as vitamin A. This combined may help support eyesight, immunity, and brain function.
Eggs make an exciting addition to the list. While we typically view eggs as breakfast food, it can be used to get our minds going too. They are rich in nutrients that aid in brain health, such as B6, B12, folate, and choline. These vitamins can aid in better memory, mental function, slow the decline in an aging mind, and regulate sugar levels in the brain.
Nuts of various kinds can be good for our brain too, but brazil nuts capture the spotlight in particular. They contain ellagic acid and selenium, which have been known to improve brain function. The ellagic acid may aid in antidepressant effects. With selenium added to the mix can help alleviate the poor mood.
We can’t forget our dark green, leafy vegetables such as arugula, kale, spinach, and collard greens. These guys have tons of vitamins essential to our brain health, such as lutein, vitamin K, nitrate, folate, and more. These vitamins have been linked to improved cognitive function and will be a welcomed addition to our diet.
When we adequately equip our minds with healthy, nutritious food and grounded mental practices as tools for our day, we have improved our odds for dealing with life’s unprecedented quirks and challenges. Whatever may be thrown our way can be better handled and equipped with a balanced mind and body.
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About the Author
Ginger McBride is a certified health coach, wellness expert, entrepreneur, and raw food enthusiast. She is the founder of Raw Ninja – a wellness coaching membership that provides affordability and accessibility to her clients. She is passionate about helping others with their health, inspiring them to reach their goals through motivation and education! To learn more, visit www.rawninja.net
