1. Avocado -- An avacado for breakfast is one of the smartest ways to go.
2. Blueberries -- Blueberries are possibly the best brain food on earth. When blueberries are out of season, opt for cranberries, grapes, goji berries, blackberries or cherries to get your brain boost.
3. Wild Salmon -- Wild Alaska salmon (not California)
4. Nuts -- Try to choose organic, raw nuts. (Almonds are the best!)
5. Seeds -- Try sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and tahini (a tangy, nutty sesame butter that tastes great in replacement of mayo and salad dressing). They give you protein, beneficial fat, and vitamin E.
6. Coffee -- Brew yourself some fair-trade organic coffee. But not more than 2-3 cups daily.
7. Oatmeal -- Not those dumb little flavored packets; get some real oatmeal.
8. Beans -- look for heirloom beans that are raised sustainably,
9. Pomegranate -- Every day we learn new benefits of pomegranates and brown rice.
10. Brown Rice -- Much healthier than white rice, and good for your whole body.
11. Tea -- buy organic, fair trade loose leaf or packets to support sustainable business practices, and brew it fresh! (My new personal brew is pomegranate-cranberry-green tea. Yum.)
12. Chocolate -- go for super dark, fair-trade, pure organic chocolate, not the sugary, processed milk chocolate candy bars.
13. Oysters -- Vegetarians must get their minerals from sources other than oysters, tuna, salmon, and eggs.
14. Olive Oil -- Olive oil has healthy fat; as always, try to buy local and organic.
15. Tuna -- From local fisheries. (Vegetarians may substitute a banana to get the same B6 vitamin boost.)
16. Garlic -- go local and organic, and be vigilant, because much garlic comes from China.
17. Eggs -- Choose organic, free range, vegetarian fed eggs.
18. Green Leafy Vegetables -- Spinach, kale, chard, romaine, arugula, lolla rossa; buy it at produce stands/farmer's markets. Have a big, dark salad for dinner at least once per week.
19. Tomatoes -- Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is particularly good for your brain.
20. Cacao nibs -- Fair trade and organic; go dark.
1. Alcohol (Except for one or two glasses of dark red wine daily, most ALL alcohol is bad for you. Beer drinkers; avoid mass-produced beer. Drink from local wineries/breweries, and drink in moderation.)
2. Corn Syrup and Sugar (Read ingredient labels, and make informed decisions.)
3. Nicotine (Yes; all tobacco products inhibit brain functions.)
4. A high carbohydrate lunch (bad) will make you sleepy and sluggish. Go for a light lunch, and choose items from the top 20 list above!
Overnight Guy's Additions for Avoidance: It is suggested above, but an Alternet article cannot come out and say this: Avoid the produce in your regular chain supermarket; most of it is crap that is just "produced" to LOOK healthy--like that garlic from China. Fruits and veggies have SEASONS; learn some of them...Also; avoid big meals at night, because going to sleep with a full tummy and cloudy mind creates sleep problems--and that's going to mess up your next day.