FUEL YOUR BRAIN

FEED THE FIRE

Tired of the same-old brain food lists? So is neuro-nutritionist Lisa Mosconi, PhD. “That advice is too general,” she says. “Sure, blueberries are good for your brain, but there’s only so many you can eat!” The simple truth is that the main nutrient providing energy to the brain is glucose. To get what you need to perform is to eat specific foods that are high in glucose and fibre (aka complex carbs), which feed your neurotransmitters (chemicals your brain relies on) without spiking your blood sugar:

BEST EATS

SPRING ONIONS A whopping 88 per cent of the sugar in this vegie is glucose, which helps your body make your beast-mode neurotransmitter (glutamate).

CHIA SEEDS These little guys have a high concentration of tryptophan – an essential amino acid your body can’t produce on its own – which is made into serotonin, the neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy.

TOFU AND EDAMAME High in phenylalanine, an amino acid used to make dopamine, the neurotransmitter that surges when you accomplish something, these foods give you a problem-solving lift. (If you prefer meat, go for chicken or fish.)

ALSO TRY

Get a solid dose of magical glucose, minus any sign of a crash, from spring onions, root vegies (carrots, turnips, parsnips), beetroot, milk, yoghurt, pumpkin seeds, spirulina, cacao, peanuts and almonds.