Brain Foods for Midterm Madness

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If anyone is currently gearing up for midterms or any other testing, I’m right there with you! My mind is all over the place now that midterms have begun at FIT, and if I’m honest, it’s a struggle to balance healthy eating when coffee and ramen are so easily accessible. It’s time to make a conscious effort to eat foods that will stimulate your mind. Here are my suggestions for healthy brain foods during midterm madness:

  1. Berries: Fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are full of Vitamin C and antioxidants, which have been shown to enhance brain performance and improve memory. The vitamin C in berries will boost your immune system and overall mental function — even improving your skin!
  2. Eggs: Eggs are rich in protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, all of which contribute to your overall physical and mental health. The choline in eggs is an essential building block of the brain’s memory function. They contain biotin, which contributes to healthy hair and nails! Hard-boiled eggs are an easy way to incorporate this brain-food into your eating habits.
  3. Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate combines the energizing benefits of caffeine with the health benefits of antioxidants to provide you with some serious brainpower!  This sweet little combination will increase blood flow to the brain, which is necessary for good brain function.  Additionally, the caffeine will give you a short burst of energy, increasing focus and concentration.
  4. Spinach: Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and cabbage contain vitamin B12, B6, folic acid and iron, which help support memory function. An easy way to incorporate spinach into your diet is to consider using baby spinach leaves in your salad instead of romaine or iceberg lettuce.  You can also try spinach in a smoothie, where it’s blended up so much that you can’t even recognize it!
  5. Whole-Grain Cereal: Whole grain cereal makes for a nutritious, brain-powering breakfast. Whole grains contain fiber, vitamin E, and carbohydrates, all of which are good for your body and your mind because they contribute to healthy blood flow to and from your brain.  Carbohydrates are also an excellent source of fuel for the brain because they are your body’s preferred energy source.

Hope these suggestions help you power through testing!

MB