Now that you are up on the impact your state-of-mind can have on achieving your health goals from Part 1, How to Stay Laser Focused and Calm Your Mind and you have seen some actions to take to improve it, please don't stop there as I have more! Check this out! Here is another tool to help you get more focused as well: the food on your plate!
It's true that the food choices you can make may make a difference in how sharp you stay and how chill you are. Scan on down to see what I mean.
How And Why Foods Keep Us Focused . . . Or Not
See below some information to help clarify why the foods we eat impact how our brain functions and our level of productivity as well as keep us healthy all around:
Feed that power organ. The brain requires and consumes an immense amount of energy so it makes sense that a healthy diet can ensure it has what it needs to keep you functioning at our best all day. Ever notice how the lunch room at a school cafeteria gets louder after the children have eaten? The food they ate just fueled their energy! I often see that on days I don't necessarily feel that hungry and may I skip a meal, my tummy may not notice, but my brain sure does. I frankly just don't feel as sharp and with it when I have not eaten in a while!
Hold back disease.
The food choices we make can slow down the aging process of our brain and keep it sharp according to many studies. Two diets are specifically mentioned often: the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and the Mediterranean diet. It is probably not a coincidence that both contain lots of vegetables, fruits, some fish, nuts and healthy fats. Stick to those for a healthy, long lasting brain function.
Don't miss this: Here is what a day of eating the Mediterranean Diet looks like and tastes like with recipes too.
Sugar and how fast it is released is key.
Foods with a low glycemic index number (more on that below) gradually release glucose into the bloodstream. That is a good thing! This gradual release helps minimize blood sugar swings that can make your energy dive south. Low glycemic foods optimize your brain energy and ability to focus by fueling it longer and steadier.
Put These Foods On Your Plate For Better Focus & A Sharp Mind
1. Indulge in dark chocolate.
Loads of studies show that high consumption of cocoa flavanols improve our health in so many ways and that goes for our brain health, too. And, don't forget what it can do for your mood. It is a great mood elevator to make the day seem a bit better and make those snags we all tend to hit, not such a big deal.
Don't miss this: You want to do this right! Be sure to check out how to cook with chocolate the right way with the right kind!
Many love the nice, even energy that matcha green tea can give without any kind of coffee jolt. It is loaded with all the health benefits of green tea too. In fact, I call it green tea on steroids.
Don't miss this: A great introduction to Matcha.
3. Awaken with peppermint.
If the matcha tea is not your thing, try some peppermint tea. Yes, no caffeine, but the scent alone can stimulate and awaken!
Don't miss this: How to brew herbal teas the right way. There are a few tricks to it.
4. Over your breakfast grains, berries are a tasty choice.
You are not going to skip breakfast, right? Right? Remember: it fuels you all morning with an even stream of brain power. Consuming more darkly pigmented fruits like blueberries and strawberries which have a low glycemic rating, says studies may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, but even more: eating them can actually strengthen your focus and memory several hours later. Check out more low glycemic foods here.
Don't miss this. Check out my healthy morning routines pin board and follow it for great ideas on how to start the day off right.
5. Hydrate and make it pretty.
Throw in some color to that filtered water. Dehydration is a sure energy zapper and headache-producer and overall bad thing.
Don't miss this; My ridiculous 25 reasons I reach for a squeeze of lemon in my water most mornings.
6. Rummage for seeds and nuts.
Those tiny bitty seeds and nuts pack in the power. Try a handful of them for snack time, over your pancakes or breakfast grains, in a salad or just about anytime. Walnuts especially carry some brain boosting powers, says this study.
7. Bake or broil you fish for more brain cells.
Eat fish once a week for a bigger brain, says this study! And, well . . . who doesn't want more of that???
Don't miss this: Stay informed on how and what fish to buy. Some are good for your health, and some are really not.
Do you find the food you eat affects your focus? Or time of day you eat it? Jump in and let me know your experience with food and focus.
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I have long believed it is very important to each properly for your brain to work at its optimum... I am not in to fish or seafood and that is too bad as I know it is really good for you, I try to put as much protein in to my diet that is lean and healthy... and lots of vegetables... plus I believe water is a very important and missed item that people skip... I drink 8-10 glasses or more a day xox
ReplyDeleteAll great habits, Launna! Water is hard to remember when we get so busy but so important for our bodies to function well and give our brain the hydration it needs! Thanks for jumping in!
DeleteI'm all about seeds, nuts, fish, berries and chocolate! Hoping it helps well into my old age ;)
ReplyDeleteIt can only help, Annmarie, plus all the amazing exercise and mental discipline you show with your running will spell a bright future, certainly!
DeleteMy diet does affect my mood and my focus. I've really been trying to cut the sugar it's hard but it helps!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is important and have been reading so much on sugar lately. Lots of great studies on that and its huge negative impact. Good for you and that is something I need to work on too! Thanks for adding in, Deborah!
DeleteWhat I eat definitely effects my mind as well as my body! When I don't eat well, I'm mentally foggy and sluggish. When I fuel up on good stuff, I'm much sharper and more energized. Thanks for linking up with us!
ReplyDeleteI operate at a much slower wattage when I don't eat right, Nicole. I agree.
DeleteYou had me at dark chocolate and green tea! Great tips!
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Julie, that you like both. Indulge in both of them and a few other goodies, too!
DeleteLuckily these are all the types of food I like. However, I didn't know that peppermint can help brain power! Good to know! Thanks for the article.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, isn't it? Welcome and glad you popped in and took the time to comment. Thank you!!
DeleteI'm having oatmeal with strawberry these days and it feels so good.
ReplyDeleteThe changes on my diet in general, together with me going back to the gym, are working wonders.
Thanks for joining #tiptuesday.
You are doing so well, Debbie. I admire your restart and you will be well on your way to feeling stronger each day. Thanks for always adding in. I always like to hear what you have to say.
DeleteI love that the first food is chocolate. I can get behind that advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at the Tips & Tricks party. Hope to see you next Monday!
Ha! That IS great news, Lisa! Make sure to check out the other on the list too to stay super sharp and make the most of your day. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteI definitely feel less sluggish since I cut out most carbs and upped the protein. I don't get hungry as often either. What a wealth of information!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that is working for you, Leslie. Protein can really help lessen hunger and keep blood sugar levels more even. So happy you found the information helpful. That makes my day!
DeleteThanks so much for your helpful posts that give us so many good tips to keep us thinking healthy.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Fridays Blog Booster Party #27
Kind of you to say, Kathleen. I appreciate all your time you give to comments very much.
DeleteThis is a really interesting article. Thanks for sharing these valuable tips to sharpen the mind I know that peppermint does awaken the mind I use often to help me stay focused and alert. I also knew that Matcha tea was highly recommended for it memory abilities. Shared on twitter & Pinned. Visiting from Healthy Happy Green & Natural blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI do love Matcha for my busy days, too! Thanks so much for coming by Maria and for sharing with others as well. I do appreciate that.
DeleteThis is such an important topic. Without focus and willpower we can easily derail our goals and fail to accomplish what we want to! Thank you so much for sharing part 2 of your valuable series: How to Stay Laser Focused and Calm Your Mind with at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I am so delighted that you are partying with us! I'm pinning and sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you found it helpful enough to want to share this information with others, Deborah! Thanks for doing so.
DeleteI really need a leaf out of this advice for sure. I need to focus more on eating healthy and being healthy more sleep and get things down more efficiently. To much to do to little time. . Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. I appreciate the linky loyalty and always look forward to seeing you again at SWM. #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteToo little time with a big list, huh! I understand, Jenny. One thing at a time. Choose one or two areas to improve and build from there. Evaluate if it was effective and then see if you want to maintain that improvement. I bet your will. You will get overwhelmed taking on too many changes at once! Pace yourself!
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