When you think about eating a healthy diet, your first thought is probably your thighs or stomach. Ironically, many people will ignore their own brains.
Did you know the foods you eat have a profound impact on your neurological functions? It’s true!
You may have heard parents and teachers talk about brain food, but you may have wondered what that meant.
Do you want to improve your mental clarity? Do you want to avoid neurodegenerative diseases later in life? Start thinking about the foods you eat every day.
Continue reading below to find out about the best foods for brain health.
1. Nuts and Seeds
You can eat your nuts and seeds raw or unroasted. In either form, they offer a source of vitamin E to add to your diet.
Vitamin E is known to reduce your chances of neurological decline in the future. Some nuts, like walnuts and almonds, are expensive, so you may wish to choose different types of nuts or seeds.
As an alternative, choose peanuts, natural peanut butter, or sunflower seeds. Your choices are nearly endless, and you can always look for the best deals.
2. Oranges and Other Citrus Fruits
A medium orange contains enough vitamin C to satisfy your daily needs. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it fights off free radicals.
Free radicals in your body can destroy healthy cells, including brain cells. If you want to combat the process, you need a diet rich in antioxidants, like vitamin C.
Other foods rich in vitamin C include tomatoes, kiwis, and strawberries.
3. Eggs
What better food to help start your day than an egg, right? Eggs contain several important compounds linked to improved brain health. These include vitamins B6 and B12, choline, and folate.
As a bonus, eggs don’t cost very much compared to other kitchen staple items. You can save more on eggs when you buy from discount stores or in bulk.
Just remember to store them properly.
4. Green Tea
As an alternative to coffee, you may choose to drink green tea. Green tea is high in a compound known as L-theanine, which increases the activity of a neurotransmitter GABA.
L-theanine counteracts the stimulating effects of caffeine when you drink green tea. It also increases alpha waves in your brain, leading to relaxation and less fatigue.
If you’re looking for a source of caffeine that makes you feel better, green tea is a great solution for neuronutrition, neurofatigue, and more.
Foods for Brain Health and Thrifty Moms
When you think about eating healthy foods, you may find yourself concerned with cost. Taking care of your health doesn’t have to put your financial health at risk. You just need to know where to look.
You can find the above foods for brain health at reasonable prices in most grocery stores. From here, there’s so much more to learn about frugal living and finding the best deals.
Do you want to learn more about finding great deals every day for the thrifty mom? Check out the cooking section of our blog.