Nourish Your Mind! 7 Foods & Drinks for your Brain

What have you eaten so far today? Did you just grab a cup of coffee and pop tart before starting work? Or did you make yourself some eggs for protein? Whatever you chose to eat, you can be sure that it will have an effect on your brain and your ability to focus throughout the day. If you’d like to nourish your brain and boost productivity while you’re working, consider consuming these 7 foods and drinks.

Coffee 

I know most everyone can’t function without at least one cup of coffee in the morning, but I figured it would be good to list the benefits anyways. Not only will you feel a boost of energy but it can help improve your memory and mood as well! Drinking about 200mg or 1 strong cup of coffee can help improve both short and long-term memory. For even more alertness, add some cinnamon – one of my favorite things to add!(1)

Green Tea 

This is my beverage of choice over coffee (call me crazy)! Not only does green tea contain caffeine, but it also contains l’theanine, which is an amino acid that increases alpha-wave activity. This will make you feel relaxed and will also slowly release caffeine, rather than getting a high dose of caffeine all at once. If you’re not a fan of the green tea flavor, you can always try some that also has fruit flavors like blueberry or açai (blueberry green tea is my favorite).(2)

Blueberries

Speaking of blueberries, this delicious fruit can help your concentration and memory for up to 5 hours. That means you can get some help focusing for over half of your workday. The antioxidants in the berries help the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.(3) I usually add a handful to my cereal or oatmeal.

Avocados  

Packed with vitamin K & folate, avocados help improve cognitive function in both memory and concentration. They also have lots of protein and fiber to keep your hunger levels down. (4) Add some avocado slices on your eggs or toast for a quick and easy breakfast.

Green, Leafy Vegetables

Salad may not be your favorite thing to eat, but your brain will thank you for doing so. Vegetables like spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce have tons of vitamins and antioxidants that help you stay focused. Additionally, they can also help protect your brain from mental deterioration. (5)

Nuts

Nuts help with mental alertness and focus since they contain vitamin E and essential oils. (6) Try a bag of healthy trail mix with yogurt chips or dark chocolate instead of M&Ms for a snack whenever you’re struggling to stay on task.

Dark Chocolate

I saved dessert for last! Just remember that milk chocolate will not give the same benefits – the darker the chocolate, the better. In addition to small amounts of caffeine, dark chocolate also contains magnesium that increases energy and calms anxiety. (7) Plus, who doesn’t like endorphins?

Incorporate these great foods into your diet to help boost your brain so you can focus on your tasks and increase productivity!