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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