5 Best Brain Foods To Activate Your Productivity (recipes inside)

You probably know that your diet can affect your body’s health, but did you know that eating the best brain food can transform how your brain works, too? Even if you’re glued to your desk all day, the least you can do for yourself (and your business) is choose the right foods to eat.

In this article, we’ll help you build up a delicious and nutritious menu that will supercharge your efficiency.

Essential nutrients for brain health

Before we dive into the exact foods we recommend, we’ll walk you through a little Nutrition 101.

After all, there aren’t just five foods in the world that will promote excellent brain health. Understanding the basic science behind the food that’s good for you will help you build upon our tips and create a well-rounded, brain-boosting diet.

Here are some of the best nutrients to feed your mind and body:

1. Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for energizing your body and brain. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), they may even keep your cognitive function in tip-top shape while preventing ADHD symptoms, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Found in: Fish oils, plant oils, nuts and seeds

2. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is one of the easiest brain nutrient needs to fulfill through a healthy everyday diet. As you get older, proper intake is especially important for boosting memory.

If you’re pregnant with a future entreprenerd, make sure you have a Vitamin B6-filled diet to promote healthy brain development, so they can stay productive in the future too!

Found in: Poultry, fish, potatoes and non-citrus fruit

3. Choline

Choline is a key nutrient for regulating both your memory, mood and other brain functions. Proper choline intake may be linked to improved cognitive function, though more research is needed.

Found in: Meat, dairy, whole grains, broccoli, potatoes, nuts and seeds

Five best brain foods for entrepreneurs

Just because you know the nutrients you need doesn’t mean you can just take a pill and call it a day. The benefits of supplements aren’t consistent — but the benefits of balanced, nutrient-rich diets are.

Pair these delicious foods with some cardio and you can stay mentally fit and physically fit:

1. Salmon

Boasting a wide variety of nutrients — from our desired vitamin B6 and fatty acids to vitamin D and potassium — salmon is definitely a superfood. In addition to helping your brain perform at its peak, it can also boost your mental health, reducing risk of depression and even hostility. No more workplace fist fights!

Not a fan of salmon? Switch it up with some oil-packed tuna and mackerel or get fancy with some caviar for similar mental health benefits.

Use our community organizer Chelsea Smith’s citrus-glazed salmon recipe to make eating for your brain your most delicious habit.

(Just don’t microwave your fish in your shared workspace microwave. Please.)

2. Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds, as well as sunflower oil and butter, are excellent sources of essential fatty acids and choline. They also provide tons of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that protects your cells — even your last remaining brain cells at the end of a stressful work day.

We recommend these sunflower butter oatmeal raisin energy balls for a delicious no-bake  snack to keep you energized and productive as you work. This nut-free recipe packs in the benefits of sunflower butter, while piling on chia seeds and flaxseeds, which are extremely high in fatty acids.

3. Blueberries

Just like salmon, blueberries are a superfood that includes vitamin B6 and promotes great health throughout your body. For your brain specifically, a study actually found that eating more blueberries leads to better recall and fewer symptoms of depression, particularly in older adults.

When you’re ready to learn more and actually remember what you opened a new tab for, grab a box of blueberries to snack on — fresh or frozen.

Chelsea created this blueberry overnight oats recipe to help you incorporate this brain food into your breakfast routine. And yes, more chia seeds are involved.

4. Potatoes

Potatoes are one of a handful of starchy vegetables that’s rich with vitamin B6 and choline. Pack some in your diet when you want to improve your focus, reduce stress and even enhance your learning skills and memory.

Paired with turmeric, another potential memory and mood supporter, your potatoes can truly be a superhero for your workplace productivity. Here’s our favorite golden turmeric mashed potatoes recipe to eat during your lunch break.

5. Walnuts

Just eating 30 walnuts per day can lead to higher cognitive test scores, as well as better blood pressure to reverse the blood-boiling effects of your client’s 50th requested revision. They’re also one of the most omega 3-rich nuts around, making them one of the best brain foods for consuming fatty acids and choline at once.

We love making candied walnuts to satisfy our sweet tooth while boosting brain health during the work day. Of course, walnuts are also great to just toss into salads or eat plain.

Seize the work day through food

Whether you want to enhance your mental health or just want a good excuse to eat more, wisely increasing the right nutrients is a smart move for any entrepreneur.

You know what they say: You are what you eat, so if you eat the best brain food, you’ll soon be a productive genius — or at least become a blueberry, Willy Wonka style.

Want another way to boost your efficiency? Set up your workstation the right way with our desk setup tips.