5 On the Go Snacks I Eat to Boost Brain Health

Eating healthy on the go can seem daunting.

Especially when we live in a highly industrialized society where most are powered by doughnuts and granola bars laced with high amounts of sugar and artificial chemicals that set up their brain for poor performance, anxiety, and depression.

I started my food journey 6 years ago now and since then I have been through many ups and downs and made all kinds of discoveries when it comes to what we put in our mouths.?

Here are my top 5 snacks I eat to power my brain…

Note: these are not ranked in any particular order and I’m not affiliated with any of these companies. But I’m open to sponsors :)?

1. Chobani’s Complete Yogurt Drink

Protein is essential. Protein contains the amino acids needed for your brain and body to rebuild your gut microbiome and other essential organs and body functions.?

Chobani Complete’s yogurt drink contains 25g of protein, no added sugar, chemicals, etc.?

Additionally, it contains over 4 billion prebiotics that helps boost your gut microbiome. If you don’t know the Gut microbiome is now called the 2nd brain because it turns out many of our important neurotransmitters like serotonin and partly produced in the gut.?

I like the strawberry cream and mixed berry flavors the best. I consume one of these drinks almost every day when I can find it in stock at my local grocery store, highly recommend it.

2. Dark Chocolate

You probably weren’t expecting to see chocolate on this list but…

Believe it or not, chocolate is an unbelievably nutrient-dense food. However, almost all chocolate has become heavily industrialized and filled with sugar, artificial chemicals, oils, etc which certainly do not help your brain.

However, if you can find dark chocolate without added sugar it’s a gift to your brain. I try to enjoy at least 1 piece of dark chocolate a day, and my brain thanks me.

3. Sardines?

Sardines are amazing! But if you care what people think of you don’t crack open a can of fish on an airplane or in a contained place where everyone is going to look at you with absolute disgust.

Sardines often get mistaken for anchovies, it’s a salty briny cousin. Sardines are hearty yet small fish that often comes smoked in a can and is quite delicious. If I’m on the go I’ll eat the can straight-up…

Otherwise, I’ll add sardines to my salad with avocados and pumpkin seeds or I’ll make a ardine toast!?

Why I consume Sardines:

• Packed w/ Vitamin D, Omega 3, and Selenium - all-powerful brain nutrients.
• Cost-efficient & Low in Mercury
• A ton of Protein & Calcium?

4. Make Trail Mix

Take a bag, and put some of your favorite, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and dark chocolate.?

I’ll often take Walnuts, Pecans, and Pumpkin Seeds and occasionally I’ll add Lily’s healthy chocolate chips in to make for a tasty treat!?

Many nuts & seeds are unbelievably powerful foods for your brain. Many of them are also high in protein/fat which could provide your brain with sustainable calories to power you through.?

For example, Healthline reports these powerful benefits for Pumpkin Seeds:

• Zinc. This element is crucial for nerve signaling. Zinc deficiency has been linked to many neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and Parkinson’s disease?36?-?37?-?38.
• Magnesium. Magnesium is essential for learning and memory. Low magnesium levels are linked to many neurological diseases, including migraine, depression, and epilepsy?39?-?40.
• Copper. Your brain uses copper to help control nerve signals. And when copper levels are out of whack, there’s a higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s?41?-?42.
• Iron. Iron deficiency is often characterized by brain fog and impaired brain function?43.

5. Eat Bananas & Berries, and Oranges??

• Wild Blueberries?are the most powerful anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory, and are considered the most powerful detoxifier of heavy metals.
• Bananas?contain a variety of powerful nutrients like potassium and tryptophan, which are all needed for your central nervous system regulation.
• Oranges, Lemons, Clementines?and foods heavy with Vitamin C are essential. Vitamin C: Works as a neuromodulator, meaning it helps your cells to properly use important neurological chemicals like dopamine. Helps with neuronal maturation, which is the complex process of generating brain cells and creating/maintaining neural connections.

Bonus: drinking a shake a day will change your health. I add bananas, wild blueberries, almond butter, and protein powder!?

Conclusion

If you made it this far in the article, please let me know your thoughts, feedback, etc by commenting directly and I’ll get back to you shortly.

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