When we think about eating healthy foods, we often connect it to improving our physical health. However, what we eat can also improve our brain health and mental health. Being able to stay focused and sharp is impacted by what you eat, and some foods do better than others at improving our brain’s ability to function properly.
As we age, our mental state is more likely to waver, but with an improved diet, we can prolong and improve brain function to live a happier and healthier life. If it only takes thinking a bit more about what we are consuming to set our future selves up for success, sign us up!
We’ve outlined six plant-based foods that are great for those who want to boost their brainpower and feel fueled for the entire day. If you want to ensure that you are getting some of these delicious ingredients, consider using Thistle for healthy plant-based meals that you’re bound to love.
Brain-Boosting Nutrients
Our bodies need loads of nutrients to stay fueled and properly functioning. We get most of our vitamins and minerals from what we eat, so eating foods high in brain-boosting nutrients is essential for optimal health.
There is no one vitamin or mineral that you can consume to fix all your problems. Still, many of them have been found to aid in the protection of age-degenerating diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Eating a healthy diet filled with impactful nutrients can help to improve memory and concentration, so it’s definitely worth making a few dietary changes. Some key nutrients contributing to brain health are:
- Vitamin C
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin K
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B12, usually taken in supplements to prevent B12 deficiency
- Iron
- Vitamin D3
Keep reading to find out about seven different plant-based foods that will keep your brain sharp.
1. Nuts and Seeds
On a plant-based diet, one of the easiest snacks that you can grab is a handful of nuts and seeds. Not only can you eat nuts and seeds on their own, plain, as a fulfilling snack, but you can also add them to a variety of dishes as toppings that contribute to brainpower.
Nuts and seeds provide protein and vitamin E. The protein you get from nuts and seeds will boost your energy and help you feel fulfilled throughout your day, and in the long term, they can improve your cognitive functioning. Vitamin E was found to help support the prevention of cognitive decline, improving the memories of elderly people when consumed in adequate amounts.
There are plenty of different kinds of nuts and seeds, including almonds, cashews, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. They all bring their own flavor and texture to your dishes, making them tasty and nutritious without much work from you. Eat them plain or sprinkle them atop your favorite smoothie, stir-fry, or salad—the possibilities are endless.
You can also find many nut butters available, so if you enjoy a nice piece of whole-grain toast in the mornings, slather some almond or peanut butter on top with some banana, and you can fuel your brain while satisfying your stomach.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a favorite of many. They are versatile, tasty, and you can grow them right in your own backyard. Perhaps best of all, they’re thought to improve brain function and help resist the development of dementia.
Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which helps the body to protect against free radical damage. Free radicals, when they outnumber antioxidants in the body, can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to different illnesses that are impacted by brain functioning. Eating more tomatoes can help combat those free radicals and is most easily absorbed into the body when eaten with olive oil.
On those warmer days, you can’t go wrong with cool plant-based bruschetta, and tomato basil soup will warm you up once it gets cold. You can even craft a salad with tomatoes, berries like blueberries, and herbs like sage, and pair it with a whole grain like brown rice for a carbohydrate. Is there ever a time where tomatoes aren’t delicious?
3. Avocados
Avocados have been all the rage recently. They are spread on toast, made into delicious homemade guac, displayed cut-up over fancy salads, and eaten directly from their casing with a spoon and a sprinkle of sea salt. Avocados are healthy to consume for various reasons, including that their healthy monounsaturated fats contribute to healthy blood pressure, which helps prevent cognitive decline.
Blood flow is important because it fuels the brain and keeps our bodies going. Adding avocados into your diet isn’t going to be that difficult, because they go well with so many kinds of dishes. There’s a reason why they have become so popular! They are a delicious and easy snack that is good for you—how often does that happen?
4. Beans
Beans and legumes are well-rounded foods, and there are so many recipe options with them that you will never get bored. Beans provide you with protein, carbs, antioxidants, and loads of vitamins and minerals.
However, the real treasure about beans is that they digest slowly, thanks to their fiber, which means that your brain is receiving a very steady supply of glucose. The brain needs glucose to keep functioning, but it cannot store glucose on its own. Beans can take two to three hours to fully digest, so the more you eat, the more glucose you will supply to your body.
Luckily, you can enjoy beans in nachos, baked with turmeric as a side, burger patties, and even brownies (yep, it’s possible!).
5. Spinach
If you want a versatile and nutrient-dense food, pick up spinach the next time you are at the grocery store. Spinach has a high vitamin B content which supports memory skill improvement and works against cognitive decline. Spinach is also iron-rich, meaning it can help prevent iron deficiency, which is common in vegans and vegetarians.
Eating spinach is one of the easiest greens to include in your diet because it can be eaten in so many ways. You can throw it into a variety of recipes, like lasagna, omelets, pasta, or smoothies, and it works well with other ingredients.
6. Dark Chocolate
We’ve saved the best for last. The final brain-improving food we have is dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are a group of antioxidant plant compounds that work with memory and learning functions in the brain. One study even found that people who consumed chocolate worked better on tasks that involved memory. Dark chocolate also contains magnesium, which is known to support your mood.
7. Use Thistle
If you want to find a way to incorporate all of these food items into your diet more frequently to improve your brain function, you can do so easily with Thistle. Thistle delivers healthy, plant-based, dairy-free meals that are delicious, ready-to-eat, and delivered directly to you. We work hard to provide the best ingredients from many local farmers and providers, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy healthy and fulfilling meals.
We offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as yummy snacks and cold-pressed juices, so no matter what you are looking for, you will find it. Sign up today and start working towards an improved future version of yourself. Keep your memory and functioning intact with our brain-boosting food options.
Sources:
Brain Foods: The Effects Of Nutrients On Brain Function | NCBI
A Review For The Pharmacological Effect Of Lycopene In Central Nervous System Disorders | NCBI
The Role Of B Vitamins In Preventing And Treating Cognitive Impairment And Decline | NCBI
When we think about eating healthy foods, we often connect it to improving our physical health. However, what we eat can also improve our brain health and mental health. Being able to stay focused and sharp is impacted by what you eat, and some foods do better than others at improving our brain’s ability to function properly.
As we age, our mental state is more likely to waver, but with an improved diet, we can prolong and improve brain function to live a happier and healthier life. If it only takes thinking a bit more about what we are consuming to set our future selves up for success, sign us up!
We’ve outlined six plant-based foods that are great for those who want to boost their brainpower and feel fueled for the entire day. If you want to ensure that you are getting some of these delicious ingredients, consider using Thistle for healthy plant-based meals that you’re bound to love.
Brain-Boosting Nutrients
Our bodies need loads of nutrients to stay fueled and properly functioning. We get most of our vitamins and minerals from what we eat, so eating foods high in brain-boosting nutrients is essential for optimal health.
There is no one vitamin or mineral that you can consume to fix all your problems. Still, many of them have been found to aid in the protection of age-degenerating diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Eating a healthy diet filled with impactful nutrients can help to improve memory and concentration, so it’s definitely worth making a few dietary changes. Some key nutrients contributing to brain health are:
- Vitamin C
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin K
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B12, usually taken in supplements to prevent B12 deficiency
- Iron
- Vitamin D3
Keep reading to find out about seven different plant-based foods that will keep your brain sharp.
1. Nuts and Seeds
On a plant-based diet, one of the easiest snacks that you can grab is a handful of nuts and seeds. Not only can you eat nuts and seeds on their own, plain, as a fulfilling snack, but you can also add them to a variety of dishes as toppings that contribute to brainpower.
Nuts and seeds provide protein and vitamin E. The protein you get from nuts and seeds will boost your energy and help you feel fulfilled throughout your day, and in the long term, they can improve your cognitive functioning. Vitamin E was found to help support the prevention of cognitive decline, improving the memories of elderly people when consumed in adequate amounts.
There are plenty of different kinds of nuts and seeds, including almonds, cashews, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. They all bring their own flavor and texture to your dishes, making them tasty and nutritious without much work from you. Eat them plain or sprinkle them atop your favorite smoothie, stir-fry, or salad—the possibilities are endless.
You can also find many nut butters available, so if you enjoy a nice piece of whole-grain toast in the mornings, slather some almond or peanut butter on top with some banana, and you can fuel your brain while satisfying your stomach.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a favorite of many. They are versatile, tasty, and you can grow them right in your own backyard. Perhaps best of all, they’re thought to improve brain function and help resist the development of dementia.
Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which helps the body to protect against free radical damage. Free radicals, when they outnumber antioxidants in the body, can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to different illnesses that are impacted by brain functioning. Eating more tomatoes can help combat those free radicals and is most easily absorbed into the body when eaten with olive oil.
On those warmer days, you can’t go wrong with cool plant-based bruschetta, and tomato basil soup will warm you up once it gets cold. You can even craft a salad with tomatoes, berries like blueberries, and herbs like sage, and pair it with a whole grain like brown rice for a carbohydrate. Is there ever a time where tomatoes aren’t delicious?
3. Avocados
Avocados have been all the rage recently. They are spread on toast, made into delicious homemade guac, displayed cut-up over fancy salads, and eaten directly from their casing with a spoon and a sprinkle of sea salt. Avocados are healthy to consume for various reasons, including that their healthy monounsaturated fats contribute to healthy blood pressure, which helps prevent cognitive decline.
Blood flow is important because it fuels the brain and keeps our bodies going. Adding avocados into your diet isn’t going to be that difficult, because they go well with so many kinds of dishes. There’s a reason why they have become so popular! They are a delicious and easy snack that is good for you—how often does that happen?
4. Beans
Beans and legumes are well-rounded foods, and there are so many recipe options with them that you will never get bored. Beans provide you with protein, carbs, antioxidants, and loads of vitamins and minerals.
However, the real treasure about beans is that they digest slowly, thanks to their fiber, which means that your brain is receiving a very steady supply of glucose. The brain needs glucose to keep functioning, but it cannot store glucose on its own. Beans can take two to three hours to fully digest, so the more you eat, the more glucose you will supply to your body.
Luckily, you can enjoy beans in nachos, baked with turmeric as a side, burger patties, and even brownies (yep, it’s possible!).
5. Spinach
If you want a versatile and nutrient-dense food, pick up spinach the next time you are at the grocery store. Spinach has a high vitamin B content which supports memory skill improvement and works against cognitive decline. Spinach is also iron-rich, meaning it can help prevent iron deficiency, which is common in vegans and vegetarians.
Eating spinach is one of the easiest greens to include in your diet because it can be eaten in so many ways. You can throw it into a variety of recipes, like lasagna, omelets, pasta, or smoothies, and it works well with other ingredients.
6. Dark Chocolate
We’ve saved the best for last. The final brain-improving food we have is dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are a group of antioxidant plant compounds that work with memory and learning functions in the brain. One study even found that people who consumed chocolate worked better on tasks that involved memory. Dark chocolate also contains magnesium, which is known to support your mood.
7. Use Thistle
If you want to find a way to incorporate all of these food items into your diet more frequently to improve your brain function, you can do so easily with Thistle. Thistle delivers healthy, plant-based, dairy-free meals that are delicious, ready-to-eat, and delivered directly to you. We work hard to provide the best ingredients from many local farmers and providers, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy healthy and fulfilling meals.
We offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as yummy snacks and cold-pressed juices, so no matter what you are looking for, you will find it. Sign up today and start working towards an improved future version of yourself. Keep your memory and functioning intact with our brain-boosting food options.
Sources:
Brain Foods: The Effects Of Nutrients On Brain Function | NCBI
A Review For The Pharmacological Effect Of Lycopene In Central Nervous System Disorders | NCBI
The Role Of B Vitamins In Preventing And Treating Cognitive Impairment And Decline | NCBI
