With final exams, work deadlines and Christmas looming, fuelling the brain for better results is probably the last thing on your mind. Are you reaching for a quick ‘pick me up’ coffee, muffin or piece of toast?  As work and school pressures mount, do you notice getting tired, as the day goes on, you can’t remember things and struggle to concentrate and focus?

The brain needs the right fuel to keep on top of your game mentally, emotionally and physically. The best energy source for your brain actually comes from fat. Yes, even though some parts of the brain need glucose to work best, this can be created from the breakdown of fats and protein instead or carbs. Sorry, that piece of toast/sandwich/muffin aint’ going to cut it when it comes to feeding the brain for energy and health.

What are ketones?
Ketones are the by-products of digested fats. They not only provide fuel for the brain but also repair damage to nerve cells. You might have heard of MCT’s or medium chain triglycerides. MCT’s found in coconut oil are a GREAT source of ketone bodies. Once broken down in the intestines, these fats are released into the bloodstream to provide a boost of energy to the brain without the spikes of insulin when you eat bread or other processed carbs.

So what do you eat when the pressure is on? Fats mostly and veggies! Research shows that there are many foods that can nourish neurons, boost production of neurotransmitters, improve memory and focus, and protect against damage and degeneration.

Trying adding some more of these foods into your diet:

Avocadoes – high in good fats, a most versatile fruit with your eggs, salads, smoothies or snacks
Blueberries – high in antioxidants add to a smoothie or on breakfast chia pudding
Broccoli – helps detoxification because of sulforaphane content, lightly stirfried in coconut oil
Bone broth – contains amino acids to heal the gut and reduce inflammation
Coconut – fresh coconut and coconut oil supports gut, brain, skin health and detoxification
Organic eggs – healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, hard boil an egg for an on the go snack
Turmeric – powerful antioxidant to reduce inflammation, add to curries, salads or enjoy a golden latte
Walnuts – brain shaped, so naturally good for it, high in fats, vitamins and minerals
Water –  don’t forget the ultimate brain juice. Start drinking early in the day and aim to get through 2 plus litres of quality, filtered water per day.

Probiotics
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha or kefir support healthy digestion, the growth of good bacteria and can protect the brain from inflammation and damage. Include these in your diet everyday and a teaspoon of Probiotic Foods.

“Most of your brain material is made in your gut. In fact, 90% of serotonin, your happy hormone is made right here in your gut!”
Don Chisholm

Healthy gut bacteria train your brain (via the gut-brain connection) to choose healthier foods. They help to banish cravings especially for sugar and processed carbs. As you start to reach for healthier choices your good bacteria grow stronger and thrive off the increased fibre from fresh vegetables and fruits, seeds and nuts, pulses and nerve cells  can regenerate with good fats and protein.

Foods that are in their whole, unadulterated state interact in the brain the way nature intended. In contrast, ‘edible food-like substances’  made out of sugar and flour release an unnatural flood of dopamine that hijacks the pleasure centers in the brain, causing cravings. Cravings can be the first thing to disappear when you start taking food based probiotics.

See how this recipe works to stabilise blood sugar, help with cravings and boost your mood and concentration. Contains many of the above wholefoods, throw into your blender and blitz!  Add the coconut oil as you are blending so it mixes completely. Take with a few activated walnuts and you are set until lunch or dinner. That simple!

Brainy Blue Smoothie
1 tbs of coconut oil (if you have never used coconut oil before start with a tsp and slowly build up to 2 tbs per day)
1 tbs of raw organic cacao nibs
½ cup of blueberries
1 tbs of chia seeds
1 tsp of cinnamon
Small handful of almonds/cashews
1 small avocado
1 tbs of powdered greens (try NuFerm’s Green Barley)
1 and ½ cups of water
1 tsp of Probiotic Foods Protein Blend

“After taking Probiotic Foods for no longer than a week, I felt I was digesting my foods much better, as well as, getting more out of them. One of the key things for myself was the cloudy thoughts disappeared, which made critical thinking a lot easier. I didn’t realise how much it was helping me until I got off the product. Hunting for my next tub ASAP … ”
Kahn, Mackay QLD