Your body can benefit from healthy eating in a variety of ways. For starters, it can give you more energy and help you maintain a healthy weight. While most people understand why it’s important to eat nutritious meals, some don’t understand that making the right food choices can boost their mental health. This includes eating food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Fortunately, there is great tasting food that can enhance your mental health and mitigate cognitive issues. Let’s look at several examples.
Food for Mental Health
Blueberries
Blueberries have become quite popular over the past decade. This is primarily because of greater awareness that blueberries have lots of antioxidants. Another benefit is that blueberries are considered a superfood because they help protect your brain from the effects of stress. In addition to helping to boost mental clarity, blueberries can also help manage diabetes, lower blood pressure and prevent cancer.
Spinach
When it comes to eating salads, spinach has been a top choice among leafy vegetables for decades. That’s because it contains magnesium and a tremendous amount of vitamin A, which is good for heart and brain health. When compared to other greens, spinach is often the best choice. Simply put, a bowl of spinach is more nutritious than a bowl of lettuce.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are delicious in pies and as a side dish. More importantly, they are a root vegetable with a generous amount of beta carotene, which can combat colon and prostate cancer. Sweet potatoes have vitamins B and C in abundance. What’s also great about eating sweet potatoes is the skin provides a good amount of fiber, which can help to control blood sugar.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a vegetable that you either love or hate. If you love broccoli, you’re in luck because it contains vitamins C and K, which are great for building collagen, forming body tissue and improving brain function. Vitamin C also serves as a powerful antioxidant that can protect you from the damage of free radicals in your body. Broccoli also has choline, which helps with mental sharpness.
Black-eyed Peas
Protein is an important part of a healthy diet. While some people only consume protein from meat and eggs, there are many sources of plant-based protein that are worthy of consideration. Black-eyed peas are a great example because they have lots of fiber. Although they’re called “peas,” they are actually beans and the consumption of beans can aid in the reduction of high blood pressure and help to prevent heart disease. Black-eyed peas can also help combat type 2 diabetes.
Avocados
Avocados aren’t just worthy of consideration because they make guacamole, they’re also a good choice because they contain vitamins B, C and K. The biggest reason to eat avocados is that they have healthy fats that can boost your memory and overall cognitive abilities.
Salmon
Another type of protein that can help to improve your mental health is salmon because it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon has a lot of selenium, vitamin B and potassium. In fact, you can eat salmon for the health of your brain and your heart, while also reaping the benefits associated with weight control.
Mangos
While mangos may not be the first fruit that comes to mind when you think about eating healthy, they are a great choice for brain health. Why? Because raw mangos can provide you with nutrients that mitigate age-related cognitive issues. Mangos are a tropical fruit that offer a delicious way to improve the health of your brain.
These are all foods that you can choose to support your mental health and overall wellness. If you’re looking for more options, consider broccoli, carrots, kale, beets and coconut oil. These types of foods can help you create delicious meals that support the health and wellness of your entire family.
