Eat Your Way to Better Concentration

Being able to concentrate means that you are able to be as productive as necessary to get your work and other daily tasks done. However, there are days when concentration seems to elude you and you find yourself being distracted by the smallest things. This is when you need something that can boost your concentration and help you to keep your mind on what you need to do. There are certain foods that contain the right nutrients to help you maintain your ability to concentrate by simply eating them on a regular basis.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a popular breakfast option because it is rich in fiber, low in calories and able to be mixed with various superfoods. The fiber keeps you feeling full so that hunger does not distract your concentration throughout the day. The healthy carbohydrates in oatmeal help to stabilize your blood sugar, preventing that mid-morning fatigue that people often experience. Add some fresh fruit for a burst of flavor and nutrients, as well as to sweeten it naturally without the need for sugar.

Water

You want to be fully hydrated or else you can experience issues like fatigue and mental fogginess as a result of dehydration. The exact amount of water you need every day is dependent on you and your overall health, but if you sip throughout the day, you can be confident that you will get what you need. Start your daily with a glass of water and then carry a water bottle with you throughout the remainder of the day to make sure you are getting water and preventing dehydration.

Dark Chocolate

Put that coffee and soda aside and get your caffeine from the very healthy dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has caffeine, but it also helps to boost endorphin and serotonin levels, balancing your mood and improving concentration. It helps to improve the brain’s blood flow and other nutrients, such as potassium, magnesium and copper, help to keep blood pressure regulated. Just make sure to only eat a single serving size because this is still chocolate and it is high in calories.

Salmon

Salmon is a popular food for containing omega-3 fatty acids and this nutrient is largely responsible for helping to promote better concentration and brain power. This nutrient aids in slowing cognitive decline, it helps in the rebuilding of brain cells and it works to strengthen your memory. It also contains proteins which are digested slowly, helping to prevent you from feeling hungry before your lunch hour.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a superfood and they contain a number of nutrients, especially antioxidants, which help to protect the brain against free radical damage. Eating blueberries on a daily basis may help to improve your ability to remember things and learn new things. They add to your ability to concentrate and maintain your focus on the tasks that you need to complete. You can eat blueberries alone as a quick snack or add them to another concentration-boosting food, such as oatmeal, to start the day off right.

Beets

Beets are known for their iron content, but they are also rich in nitrates. These helps to increase blood flow, dilate the blood vessels and improve oxygen to the brain. All of these come together to improve your overall mental performance. They also help to improve concentration, memory and your overall cognition.

Green Tea

Green tea is one of the most popular options for boosting your overall brain power and this includes helping to boost your ability to concentrate. It is important that you choose a high-quality green tea that has a low caffeine content. The nutrient theanine in green tea makes it a great option for an afternoon boost for your concentration and overall cognitive power. Steep your green tea for about 15 minutes to make sure that you draw all of the good nutrients out into the liquid for the best effects.

Eat these foods throughout the week to keep your concentration levels high. Ideally, you want to eat at least one of these foods for breakfast every day so that you can get started with boosting your concentration levels. You can eat them in any way that you prefer and you can combine them with other foods to complete a meal. For example, add fruits to your oatmeal to reap the concentration-boosting benefits of the oatmeal and to get a burst of essential nutrients that can further improve concentration and ensure that you get all of the necessary nutrients.


References:

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/4_foods_to_help_you_focus_better