Pack some Brain Boosters in your Lunch Box
Dec 2, 2006
Did you Know? That your brain accounts for only 2% of the body's weight, but it uses 20% of it's energy!
Here's some info on healthy brain fodder for your grey matter:
Avocados - Yes, they are high in fat - but it's monounsaturated fat, i.e. the good kind. While many of us have developed a fear of fat, the fact is that the brain needs sources of fat to thrive and research shows that eating good fat helps to burn off bad fat. Avocados are also a great source of folate, potassium, and fiber.
Walnuts - Instead of that candy bar as an afternoon snack, try a handful of walnuts. They contain the plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). A high intake of ALA is protective against heart attack. Studies suggest that 2 grams of ALA--the amount in an ounce of walnuts--a day is sufficient to produce these benefits. And walnuts also offer protein, fiber, magnesium, manganese and copper. In addition, walnuts also contain ellagic acid--a flavonoid, also found in several types of berries, that has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Cultural Combinations
The brain benefits from complete and comlementary protein combinations that ensure it gets a healthy supply of essential amino acids. Some cultures naturally provide these combinations as part of their traditional diet, examples include: dahl and chapatis from India, Native American maize and beans (succotash) and Mexican beans and tortillas.
These combinations all provide simple and easy solutions for good brain nutrition.
Mind your minerals
Nutritionist have identified 9 key minerals considered vital for mental functioning and health. Researchers have found that a deficiancy in any one of them causes reduced mental alertness. Here's the list for maximum mental function: potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, phospherous, manganese, calcium, zinc and boron.
Why your brain loves boron...
Boron increases dexterity, mental electrical activity, supports short-term memory,and raises performance in mental tasks.
Where do you get it? fresh vegetables, apples, dried fruit and nuts...
photo by pennstatelive
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