5 Brain-Boosting Foods To Help You Stay Sharp During Stressful Deadlines

Omega-3-fatty acid-rich foods have been proven to enhance memory and boost cognitive function. Examples of these foods include walnuts, flaxseeds, and fatty fish like salmon. Furthermore, including foods high in antioxidants, such as dark chocolate, leafy greens, and berries, in your diet can help shield brain tissue from oxidative damage and support mental wellness in general.

The brain receives a constant supply of glucose from complex carbs, which are present in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. This improves attention and concentration. Additionally, eating foods high in choline, including broccoli and eggs, can help produce neurotransmitters that are important for memory and learning. During tight deadlines, you can improve memory recall, support cognitive function, and maintain mental acuity by feeding your body with nutrient-dense foods.

All the foods including walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon, dark chocolate, leafy greens, berries, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and choline-rich foods like broccoli and eggs. (Image Credit: Canva)

In a conversation with Jagran English, Geetha Prabagar, who is a consultant clinical nutritionist at Niyama Digital Healthcare, talked about the brain-boosting foods that will surely help you stay sharp during stressful deadlines.

According to Geetha Prabagar, “It is beneficial to start the day with good food and the sound nutrition it provides to keep ourselves up for the challenges of the day. Easy-to-make and quick-to-eat foods are preferred on a day that has rapid deadlines and demanding inputs. Although there is a wide range of foods that can be identified as good foods to beat stress, we must remember that homemade food is the best at any given time.”

Fruits

Fresh fruits are colorful and flavorful, giving them fructose and glucose that can be readily absorbed, and they are rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium. Fruits are super easy and quick-to-eat foods. Bananas can give you an instant hit of nutrients. A bowl of fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, amla, apples, pomegranates, grapes, and citrus fruits is an ideal choice.

Nuts

Nuts are a magical food that is rich in proteins, fat, carbs, minerals, and vitamins. They are easy to carry and very palatable. A mix of groundnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashew nuts, and walnuts is an excellent choice. Less expensive nuts are equally nutritious and are as good as the more expensive ones, as should be noted.

Dairy Products

Fermented milk products are more nourishing than fresh milk; they do not produce flatulence and keep your gut happy and cool. A simple super food on a busy day could be curd and rice! Other options include yogurt and almond milk.

Do you know that consuming nutrient-dense foods can also support mental wellness during tight deadlines. (Image Credit: Canva)

Fresh Vegetables

Vegetables and fresh salads give off that punch of freshness and are rich in vitamin A, C, and iron. The fresh vegetables give the feeling of fullness. The high iron content helps carry more oxygen into the body. A good mix of cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and beets with some herbs is a simple, easy-to-make option.

Eggs And Protein

Eggs are easily digestible and completely absorbed. They have a very high nutritive value, are easy to prepare, and are high in satiety. For vegans, boiled or sprouted grams and pulses are alternative choices.

At last, Geetha Prabagar concluded, “All these above foods are undoubtedly nutritious but may not meet the recommended nutritional requirements on their own. So, it is important to make the adjustments for the next possible meal. Remember to avoid sugar-rich foods and low-fiber foods. They tend to make you feel dull, increase sleepiness, and divert focus. Eating regularly, drinking adequate water, getting good sleep, and doing regular exercises are to be prioritized to create more energy and enhance productivity every day.”