BEST FOODS TO KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP DURING THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays are filled with family and friends, and of course, delicious holiday dishes and the best foods. While we all look forward to the turkey, ham and all the fixings, it’s important to remember that moderation is key. Enjoy—but don’t overindulge. You’ll thank yourself in the morning!

Here’s some food for thought. Did you know that there are certain foods that are good for brain power? That’s right, you can eat yourself healthier and brighter. A few examples include:

• Turkey – the holiday bird produces serotonin, which helps fight depression and enhances strong memory recall.
• Sweet potatoes are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which helps in reducing damage to the brain cells, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
• Blueberries can lower cholesterol and help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. They’re high in Vitamins C and K and antioxidants, plus they may lower blood pressure. They may also promote brain health, aid memory and fight against age-related cognitive decline. So take a small slice of that blueberry pie and enjoy it in good health!
• Dark chocolate is a delicious treat that’s especially good for blood pressure when eaten in small amounts (at least 70% cacao). It may also protect brain health and boost memory. Its antioxidants may also prevent heart attacks.
• Turmeric, which contains curcumin and is a key ingredient in curry, may bind with plaque that can build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, to prevent the disease from developing.
• Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and irregular heartbeats, plus it can build brain cell membranes.

A good rule of thumb to remember is that if you eat foods high in sugar or too many carbohydrates that convert to sugar in the body, you will undoubtedly experience that sugar high then crash. So eat protein with these foods. It’ll help reduce the sugar crash.

Enjoy the holidays!