NPR recently caused a brouhaha -- ooh, I love that word -- when they posted the article, "Food For Thought: Meat-Based Diet Made Us Smarter."
According to anthropologists, about 2.3 million years ago, humans began "dining with dogs," or at least scavenging the same carcasses. Because meat has more calories and fat, our brains, which are high energy users, responded well to it. While our brains enlarged, our guts shrank, allowing us to spend more time on higher brain activities like making better tools.
This doesn't mean that vegetarians are dumber. It does, however, mean that they may have less energy than meat-eaters. Fortunately, there are many brain-healthy foods for all types of eaters ranging from carnivores to vegans. Some of the best brain-healthy foods include omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed; antioxidant-packed foods such as berries and crucifers; and whole grains such as barley and oats.
So if you're looking to eat your way to a smarter you, then consider getting yourself a copy of the newly released cookbook, Thinkfood: Recipes for Brain Fitness. Posit Science (a leader in brain training software) joined forces with 50 bloggers, including me, to create this cookbook, featuring 50 unique, delicious, brain-healthy recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts. You can also sign up for their free email Recipe of the Week campaign; each Wednesday you'll receive a brain-healthy recipe, meet the blogger who created it, and get tips about brain-fitness foods.
So if you're looking to eat your way to a smarter you, then consider getting yourself a copy of the newly released cookbook, Thinkfood: Recipes for Brain Fitness. Posit Science (a leader in brain training software) joined forces with 50 bloggers, including me, to create this cookbook, featuring 50 unique, delicious, brain-healthy recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts. You can also sign up for their free email Recipe of the Week campaign; each Wednesday you'll receive a brain-healthy recipe, meet the blogger who created it, and get tips about brain-fitness foods.
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Brain-healthy recipe: Quick Italian Tuna and Olive Pasta; photo by Posit Science
My family has been eating Quick Italian Tuna and Olive Pasta for as long as I can remember, not because tuna is high in brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, which it is, but because it's simple, delicious, and Italian. Tuna is also rich in both B-vitamins which help improve your energy and memory and tryptophan which helps you sleep.
Since my parents will be reading this post, I have a feeling my mom will be making Quick Italian Tuna and Olive Pasta a lot more often. Mensa better get ready for the Russo's.
Here are other brain-healthy recipes from Food Blogga you might enjoy:
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and PearsGrilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Orange and Ginger Glazed Planked Salmon
Shrimp, Pineapple, and 7 Whole Grain Pilaf Salad
Sicilian Sardine and Broccoli Rabe Pasta
