Maybe you’ve read it or lived it, but the food we eat can change our physiology. Most of the time we don’t consider this when we sit down to eat a meal, and we don’t always notice the impact of food until we become deficient in a certain vitamin, mineral, or nutrient, and sometimes it goes completely undetected period. Research in the field of the gut brain connection is constantly growing, and it might be reassuring to know we can biohack our bodies to keep ourselves feeling our best by feeding ourselves foods that energize and rebuild our bodies and minds. 

Top 6 Foods To Add-In:

If you’re worried about energy levels or feeling “off”, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor to get blood work drawn ASAP and keep it up annually to monitor what’s happening on the inside, but until then, you can always add in some of the following foods to help your brain function its best:

1. Blueberries and Strawberries: This antioxidant superfood helps to keep your brain feeling clear and fresh because antioxidants stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. As a bonus, antioxidants are believed to prevent disease by fighting free radicals in the body, and free radicals form every time the body undergoes stress — stress from unhealthy foods, toxins in the environment, physical stress we place upon our bodies and minds, or stress from aging. 
2. Avocados: Everybody seems to love them some avocados these days and for good reason. They are filled with fiber to keep you fuller longer and healthy fats to promote cell growth, absorb nutrients, and produce sex hormones. Plus, did you know your brain is at least 60% fat? Eating healthy fats helps keep your brain healthy too.
3. Fatty/Oily Fish: Knowing that fat is our brain’s friend, it’s probably no surprise that fatty fish makes the list. Salmon, trout, albacore tuna, mackerel, herring, and sardines all fall into this category. Add these fish into your diet with regularity to keep your mind clear and reduce depression and fatigue. Just be mindful of your tuna intake as albacore, yellowfin, ahi, bigeye, bluefin, and canned tuna all have high mercury levels. Consume no more than once a week or less if possible.
4. Leafy Greens: They seem to be good for everything, right? When in doubt, add more dark leafy greens because the darker the color, the better! Leafy greens are also high in antioxidants which helps to boost your brain power. Plus, the B vitamins that are loaded into each serving of greens are “proven to help your memory, focus, and overall brain health and power.” 
5. Green Tea: This tea is one of the highest in antioxidants but also contains caffeine and l’theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. This amino acid can be found in pill form too so if you’re experiencing a lot of stress or can’t handle the caffeine found in green tea, talk to your doctor about supplementing with l’theanine.  
6. Flax Seeds: High in B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and fiber, flax seeds will help with mental clarity, weight loss, and clearer skin. It, too, is considered a superfood. Tip: Be sure to grind them (or buy them ground) so that your body can more easily digest them. You can’t really eat these little powerhouses alone, but you can add them to your favorite smoothies, salads, cereal, yogurt, and oatmeal. They’re pretty flavorless, so sprinkle them into anything for an extra brain health bonus.

Recipes To Try:

• Avocado toast sprinkled with ground flax seeds, salt, and tomatoes. I use rice cakes sometimes to change things up. 
• Simple Salmon Cakes
• Blueberry Smoothie
• Kale Superfood Salad