Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even though many people skip it. You don’t have to be a nutritionist to know that breakfast helps boost mental function and energy levels. The brain needs nutrients like B vitamins and iron to function properly, and eating a healthy breakfast can help provide those nutrients.
Trying to figure out what to eat for breakfast? If you’re in a hurry in the morning, try these breakfast habits that can help keep your mind sharp:
- Eat a whole grain. Whole grains like oatmeal are rich in B vitamins, which are often lacking in American diets. They also contain iron and magnesium. Whole grains make an excellent addition to any breakfast, but they’re particularly good at boosting brain power first thing in the morning.
- Sip on some tea. Black, green or white tea are all rich in antioxidants called catechins, which can boost brain power and memory. Green tea is particularly high in these valuable compounds. Enjoying a cup of tea with breakfast will help kickstart your brain’s activity for the day.
- Green veggies are some of the best foods for brain health since they provide a ton of antioxidants and other nutrients. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals in your body that can damage healthy cells and lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
- Sugar is one of the worst things you can eat for brain health. Consuming too much sugar can cause insulin spikes that lead to fatigue and cravings throughout the day. This energy crash can make it difficult to concentrate or finish tasks at work or school.
- Oily fish like salmon, herring, sardines and trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids that keep your brain sharp as you age. Omega-3s improve communication between cells in your brain by increasing blood flow to the organ.
