Your gut talks to your brain, so if you want a healthy, happy brain, you need to feed it properly.
That from Sophia Khan, a Saskatoon dietitian who explains that what we eat can affect our mood.
She says the connection is called the brain-gut axis.
Three nutrients that can help are Vitamins B and D and Omega 3 fats.
What doesn’t help is substituting coffee when what we really need is a snack to perk us up.
Khan understands that when people feel tired, they often jump to a caffeine option which can help with alertness and improved concentration, but there are highs and lows.
On the other hand, our brains require carbohydrates to function at their optimum, so for a sustainable boost, Khan suggests a snack with fibre, protein, and healthy fats.
She gives the example of nuts which would be more sustained than a cup of coffee.
If the cost of healthy foods is a challenge, Khan advises to opt for frozen fruits and vegetables and try out beans and lentils for a great source of protein.