The Most Productive People Eat This for Breakfast
Here's a shocking piece of information: Your brain is made up of 60% fat. Now, before dashing for the nearest Krispy Kreme with the excuse that you need to fuel up on "brain food," know that it's the healthy fats like omega-3s that your noggin craves. In fact, as MindBodyGreen reports, when your diet lacks healthy fats, you're depriving your brain of the nutrients it needs to perform to the best of its ability.
So when you've entered that 3 p.m. slump and feel like you need a snack to get back on the up-and-up, forgo a granola bar or sugar-filled treats—these foods only offer short-term energy bursts (or sugar highs, if you will)—and instead grab some monounsaturated fats (the good kind) like dark chocolate, greek yogurt, or walnuts.
But if you want to start your day off right to keep your brain functioning at its maximum potential all day long (don't we all?), William Cole, DC, recommends this brain food power breakfast in particular: avocado lox on sweet potato toast. Take a look at the recipe below!
Ingredients
1 large sweet potato
2 large eggs
1 avocado
Wild-caught lox (salmon)
Directions
Slice the sweet potato lengthwise into two quarter-inch-thick slices. Place the sweet potato slices in the toaster on high, and toast for about 5 minutes or until cooked entirely. Toast a couple times if needed. While the sweet potato is toasting, cook the eggs to your preference. Cut the avocado into slices. Top sweet potato toast with egg, lox, and avocado.
According to MBG, avocado, eggs, and salmon are all chock-full of good fats to keep your mind sharp throughout the day, and sweet potato is full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients that help clear any brain fog. Also, sweet potato toast is better for you than wheat toast because digestive enzymes convert wheat flour into glucose, thus spiking your blood sugar levels.
Keep scrolling for three more brain-fueling breakfast essentials.
Berry Bowl
Blueberries, strawberries, and açaí berries are proven to help keep your mind sharp by removing toxic waste that can cloud your memory.
Coffee
If you're a bit of a coffee addict, turns out you're doing your brain a favor: Mike Dow, Psy.D., brain health expert and author of Healing the Broken Brain ($17), tells us that "the combination of antioxidants in coffee and tea along with a moderate dose of caffeine is neuroprotective," further explaining that people who have three small cups of coffee per day decrease their chances of dementia.
Oatmeal
Oats are rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols and antioxidants to keep the mind working optimally. They're also high in fiber to keep you feeling fuller longer.
Up next, check out the one ingredient the most intelligent people on earth eat.
Opening Image: Nomad Luxuries
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
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