Nutrition matters so much more to memory than you might think. It is all about the macro and micronutrients that your body pulls out of the food that you eat. Those nutrients are what your body, and especially your brain, use to keep you going and to keep your memory functioning and act as a memory boosters.

Here are some Nutritional Memory Boosters

Consider a Probiotic

Gut health is way more important, especially to memory, than most people realize. And with stress taking a toll on your body and your gut, your gut microbiome can quickly get out of balance. Consider adding a probiotic of some sort to your Diet. The easiest and most natural way to do this is with fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods.

Reduce Refined and Processed Carbohydrates

You probably know that chips, fries, and other processed foods are not necessarily the best choices for your regular diet. It can be hard to avoid those, though. Sometimes what it takes is a conscious effort to make that change and knowing what to replace them with. Instead of reaching for something sweet and high in sugar content, swap out a fruit, like an apple or some mixed berries. You will get lots of vitamins and other nutrients, still get a sweet taste and reduce your overall sugar intake.

Get Those Fatty Acids into Your Diet

Fatty acids, like omega-3s, are fantastic for your brain. Your brain loves healthy fats, lean proteins, and the nutrients from fruits and veggies. Omega-3 fatty acids are easy to get if you love fish like salmon, sardines, and tuna. These fish are readily available and tasty, too. Eating a few more servings of these fish every week helps your brain to stay well-fed.

Vegetables and Fruits Fuel Your Brain

There are tons of nutrients in vegetables and fruits. Each one contains a different mix of all sorts of nutrients your body and brain need. The best way to make sure that you are getting the nutrients you need? Eat a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables on a rotating basis. Whole fruits and veggies contain more of what you need than processed versions. So, an apple is always a better choice nutritionally than applesauce. The key is to eat more of them.

Do not Overlook Hydration

And finally, most people do not think of drinking water as having anything to do with nutrition, but it is crucial. Your body needs plenty of water to process the food that you are eating. It also needs water to support every single cell in your body, including in your brain. If you are not drinking enough water, you are making it more difficult for every system in your body to function properly. You can also be setting yourself up for health problems down the line.

Any time you want to try to boost your memory, look at what you are eating. If you are slacking a bit and eating some foods that are more empty calories than nutritionally sound, start adding the right foods as memory boosters back into your diet and see how fast your brain can make good use of those nutrients.

Memory Matters empowers mid-lifers (and beyond) to improve their memory and confidence through proven techniques and strategies. If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from the help of a memory coach, please contact us today! Email rena@renayudkowsky.com

The post Five Nutritional Tips that Make a Difference with Memory appeared first on Memory Matters.

Rena Yudkowsky Geriatric Social Worker & Memory Coach

Rena Yudkowsky, a professional memory coach and geriatric social worker, is the founder of Memory Matters. She teaches online memory improvement courses to mid-lifers and seniors. Over the past twenty years in the field, she has served as the director of an Alzheimer's unit in an assisted living facility in Maryland, the director of development at a senior enrichment program in Israel, trainer for dementia caregivers, facilitator of support groups, and international lecturer on aging topics.

Currently, she is the memory coach for an international anti-aging clinic where she does 1:1 coaching and is working on a comprehensive program to prevent dementia.

She is super passionate about her mission of helping those 50 + to age more healthfully, both physically and cognitively, as she empowers them to believe in their own memory with confidence.