Today I’m talking about the best brain food. It’s natural to focus on foods that provide natural energy, boost the immune system, or strengthen bones. Yet, what about foods that strengthen the brain, provide cognitive longevity, prevent memory loss? Let’s focus on some brain-healthy foods!

bright green smoothie in a decorative glass.
Table of Contents
  1. Brain Healthy Foods
  2. How to Focus on Brain Healthy Foods
  3. Best Brain Food Smoothie Recipe
  4. Brain Food Smoothie Recipe

Brain Healthy Foods

When I turned 30, I started hearing all about how to focus on my skin. Products to make it look younger, glow longer, wrinkle less. Yet, I never heard anyone talk about how to focus on brain health.

After starting Simple Green Smoothies, I noticed a lot of emails from the community asking about foods to help with cognitive decline related to a variety of neurological diseases. I learned long ago how effective food is at healing and preventing things like cancer, so why can’t food also help keep my brain healthy? Here is a great list of plant-based, whole food that can help strengthen the brain:

Avocados

This delicious ingredient rounds out our list of brain healthy foods due to its large concentration of unsaturated fat. This reduces blood pressure, which can greatly decrease cognitive decline. I use it in my brain food smoothie recipe to add creaminess, and healthy fat.

sliced and whole avocados on a wooden cutting board.

Leafy green vegetables

Ever wonder why I based my company around green smoothies? I love leafy greens, not just because they’re delicious. I love that they are powerhouses of nutrition, and blending them into a smoothie is often easier than stuffing my face with salad every day.

Leafy greens also contain nutrients like vitamin K, folate, and beta carotene, which have been linked to slowing cognitive decline. So, just indulging in a daily green smoothie gives your brain access to ingredients from the best brain food list.

Berries

Bright + colorful berries contain numerous phytochemicals, that have neuroprotective effects on neurodegenerative diseases, according to research by the US National Library of Medicine. They also contain antioxidants, which can not only delay memory decline in the long run, but also improve memory. This gives them a top spot on my list of brain healthy foods.

Coffee

Did you know that coffee is actually good for you? More specifically, the caffeine in coffee and tea releases serotonin, which improves mood (aka a great brain food). Coffee also improves focus on daily tasks, when consumed in small amounts throughout the day. I have a daily cup of coffee that is delicious + healthy.

Walnuts

While all nuts contain healthy fats + protein (I LOVE using nuts as a plant-based protein source), walnuts are specifically high in the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid. This omega-3 lowers blood pressure and protects arteries, which help keep the blood flowing correctly through the brain, giving it a shout out on this best brain food list. Maybe that’s why walnuts are brain-like in shape?

Turmeric

This brain healthy root has been linked to improved cognitive function in a study regarding patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric is also known as curcumin, which is an antioxidant + anti-inflammatory.

Hemp Hearts

Hemp hearts are packed with omega-3s and omega-6s, which are essential fatty acids. These acids can help improve working memory. I chose organic hemp protein as the main ingredient in my homemade protein powder, because it is a complete protein.

I also love blending hemp hearts in my brain food smoothie recipe, or leaving them whole on top for a nice crunch.

How to Focus on Brain Healthy Foods

I’m continually learning how to be proactive about my health. I want to age gracefully on the outside, but more importantly, I want to age gracefully on the inside. This is a huge reason why I cleanse on a quarterly basis.

My Seasonal Cleanse includes all the foods on the above list, except coffee (due to the caffeine content), because I’m serious about wanting to protect my health through plants. This cleanse helps detox the body, while also helping to fuel it through whole food and rest.

Cleansing shouldn’t only have short term benefits. It should be delicious, and leave you with an even better version of yourself.

a tall glass of brain food smoothie along side sliced pears and pineapple.

Best Brain Food Smoothie Recipe

I created this smoothie specifically for a Seasonal Cleanse. This is a plant-based, whole food cleanse focused on detoxifying the body, kickstarting weight loss, and on foods that nourish me from my brain to my toes. It’s quite a delicious smoothie, because I don’t believe the lie that tells us healthy eating has to be bland, gross, or boring.

Like every recipe in this cleanse, this brain food smoothie has the perfect balance of fat, carbs, and plant protein to help you feel full, while also giving your brain some extra lovin’ through the omegas.

a milkshake glass full of brain fuel smoothie recipe, topped with best brain food ingredient, hemp hearts.
bright green smoothie full of the best brain food
4.97 from 26 votes

Brain Food Smoothie

This brain food smoothie has everything you need to get you going in the morning— protein, healthy fats, and replenishing electrolytes. Adding avocado to smoothies gives you a lovely dose of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are vital for brain development and nerve function. Not only that, but the avocado also assists the body in absorbing nutrients from the greens.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Beverage, Breakfast, Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based, Vegan
Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients  

  • 1 ½ cups spinach
  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1 pear ripe + cored
  • ½ cup mango frozen
  • ¼ avocado
  • 2 tbsp hemp hearts

Instructions 

  • Blend spinach and coconut water together until smooth.
  • Add remaining ingredients and blend again. You can either blend in hemp hearts or sprinkle on top.

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 294mg, Potassium: 1440mg, Fiber: 14g, Sugar: 35g, Vitamin A: 5323IU, Vitamin C: 61mg, Calcium: 158mg, Iron: 5mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Rating




Comments

    1. Thanks so much Lisa! So glad you’re loving them!

  1. 5 stars
    Fantastic smoothie! I used unfrozen mango, so after all was blended, I blended in 6 ice cubes. This made (2) 8oz. glasses. Delicious! Really loved it as did my spouse! WooHoo.

    1. I always add ice to mine, too, if my ingredients aren’t frozen! I love my smoothies COLD and thick. I’m so glad you both enjoyed this one so much! I really love the light, tropical flavors in this one!

  2. 5 stars
    This is also referred to as jet fuel in our house. I’ve added a handful of almonds and some turmeric and a dash of pepper, or a few anti inflammatory cubes (fin the 10 day smoothie challenges). Sometimes we use coconut flavored green tea or water to knock down the calories. We love it. Tons of sustained energy through the day without a crash. My husband’s favorite.

    1. Oh this is so awesome, Sandra!!! Love that you’re swapping in green tea or water too. Keep up the awesomeness!

    1. Awesome question Harlene! Hemp hearts are widely available and can even be found in stores like Walmart or Target. We like to order online from Thrive Market.

  3. 5 stars
    I’ve learned that if I peel the pear, my smoothie is super creamy and not gritty at all! Love this one.

  4. 5 stars
    This was one of my favorite smoothies of the cleanse! It introduced me to hemp hearts. After 21 days of green smoothies my skin is fantastic!

    1. This is one of my favorites when it comes to creamy smoothies! 🙂

    1. Haha, I love it! And that’s just what it looks like! 😀

  5. 5 stars
    One of my all-time favourite smoothies! Make sure your pears are perfectly ripe, so you can enjoy their full flavour.

    1. Agreed, a nice, ripe pear makes this smoothie unbeatable!

  6. 4 stars
    I wasn’t sure I’d like this but like all of her smoothies it was super yummy!

  7. Could you please suggest an alternative brain fruit to use.instead of mango. Trying to decrease the sugar consumption. Thanks

  8. 5 stars
    I definitely needed some brain fuel this morning, and I had all the ingredients on hand! This was super creamy and a delicious way to start the week.

    1. That’s great, Erin! You were meant to have this smoothie this morning. It’s one of my faves, glad you liked it!

  9. Got a substitute for spinach? It’s high on the kist of foods to avoid if you get oxalate crystal kidney stones.

  10. thank you so much for sharing this…i recently found your blog and when i am reading it i loved it..now i’ll read your blogs regularly. thank you

    1. 5 stars
      Hey Ainsley,

      Yay!! That is what we love to hear. Welcome to the SGS family!! If you ever need anything please reach out to our team and we will be here for you.

      xoxoxo