7 Breakfast Recipes for Better Focus and Brain Health

Photo by Dani Rendina on Unsplash

It’s important to remember that focus and concentration are cognitive functions, so they rely on your overall brain health. To support long-term healthy cognitive functioning, it’s best to eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support brain health.

With that in mind, we rounded up breakfast recipes made with key ingredients that support a sharp mind so you can start your day on the right note.

1. Red, White, and Blue Parfait recipe

This parfait is the perfect way to jumpstart your brain in the morning. The dynamic duo of antioxidant-abundant almonds and blueberries makes this recipe the ideal brain food.

Eating more blueberries (and strawberries), which are rich in flavonoids, was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline.

This creamy parfait pairs protein-packed cottage cheese with blueberries and strawberries for the perfect morning treat.

2 Avocado Smoothie Bowl

An avocado a day keeps the brain fog away. That’s because avocados are full of powerful antioxidants including lutein, which is linked to better cognition.

People who ate an avocado a day for six months showed improvements in memory, sustained attention, and efficient problem-solving, according to an August 2017 study in ​Nutrients​

So, if you have a big test or an important work presentation coming up, it would behoove you to add an avocado to your breakfast bowl. This a.m. meal comes with crunchy almonds and bananas for added creaminess.

3 Baked Egg Muffin recipe

If you’re typically in a rush in the morning, these baked egg cups are for you. They’re not made with wheat, so they’re not high in carbs, but they do offer you choline, healthy fat, and protein thanks to the eggs, as well as other nutrients depending on the veggies you choose to add.

For a real brain-supporting meal, pair these egg muffins with a slice of whole-grain toast with nut butter.

4 Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast recipe

This recipe offers a double dose of brain boosters. While antioxidant-rich avocado amps up your attention and focus, the omega-3 fatty acids in smoked salmon have anti-inflammatory effects that may support healthy brain cells and protect them from deteriorating, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Salmon also gives you some vitamin D, which has brain-protecting effects, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Get creative and season your salmon avo toast with “everything” seasoning, or any other spices you like.

5 Peanut Butter Bliss Balls recipe

This is another recipe for those who are typically in a rush in the morning or who might otherwise forego breakfast. If you’re trying to keep things light but want to better support your brain in the morning, reach for a few chocolatey bites.

You’ll get brain-supporting healthy fats from the peanut butter, and oats add fiber. Cocoa powder and sweet dates add a yummy flavor and up the fiber and antioxidants in this recipe. Overall, they’re a great choice to start the day.

6 Coconut Pomegranate Smoothie recipe

Adding pomegranate juice to your morning routine might be one way to support a sharp mind. Pomegranate juice has triple the antioxidant potency of red wine and green tea.

To get the benefits, you may want to have about one cup per day of pomegranate juice for brain health benefits. Older adults who enjoyed a daily glass of pomegranate juice showed improved visual and verbal memory.​

This sweet and tart smoothie combines pomegranates with omega-3-rich hemp hearts for twice the brain support.

7 Almond and Yogurt Cereal recipe

When it comes to foods that protect your brain, almonds are all-stars. That’s because they have loads of free-radical-fighting vitamin E, an antioxidant that shields cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.

Your brain is super susceptible to oxidative stress, especially as you age. As an antioxidant, vitamin E is associated with protecting your brain against neurodegenerative diseases.

Vitamin E may promote healthy brain function and has been linked to slowin

g cognitive decline.

Since one ounce of almonds offers 34 percent of your daily value of vitamin E, you can feel good about sprinkling a handful of almonds on your morning cup of yogurt