7 super foods that can increase your productivity

Although eating these foods will not make you any smarter or help you use your time better, it could give your brain an extra boost of energy to help you focus for a longer period of time.

It isn’t just our physical bodies that can get tired, our brains can get fatigued too. Finding foods that can “feed” your brain with just the right amount of energy, can easily give you the boost that you need to concentrate (on your studies, work, projects, articles, etc.) just a little while longer.

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1. Coffee

This one is quite obvious, isn’t it? Coffee doesn’t just wake you up, or keep you awake for longer periods of time. The caffeine within coffee, also promotes the natural production of dopamine in your body, which boosts your mood. When you’re in a better mood, you’re more likely to be able to focus while enjoying what you’re doing.

💡 If you don’t like coffee, or can’t handle the amount of caffeine in coffee, try drinking tea like black tea or matcha.

2. Almonds

Almonds are a great pick-me-up snack when you’re beginning to get tired and sluggish during your studies. They are packed with lots of health fats and can keep you fuller for longer, helping you stay focused without the distraction of hunger.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are packed with anti-oxidants that help to fight off diseases, decrease bloating, and curb your cravings. According to research done at the University of Reading, blueberries can also enhance cognitive ability. So the next time you need to memorize something, or stay focused for a long period of time, try eating some blueberries as a snack before you begin studying!

4. Whole Grains

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Not only are whole grains a healthy choice to include in your daily diet, they are actually known to increase blood flow. And not just overall blood flow in your body; but blood flow to your brain (because of the B vitamins, like folate). According to Lisa Moskovitz, registered dietitian and founder of The NY Nutrition Group, whole grains also provide our bodies with B12—fuel for the brain that helps with focus. According to Moskovitz, without B12, our brain cells would not be able to properly learn and understand new things.

💡 Whole grains include: farro, millet, quinoa, barley, brown rice, oatmeal

5. Avocados

Avocados are high in non-saturated fatty acids, which actually help protect cells in our brains called astrocytes. These brain cells actually help the nerves in our body that carry information. In other words, astrocytes are involved in creating a healthy blood flow, which we all need, especially when it’s to and from the brain (as is related to productivity).

6. Flax Seeds

This incredibly versatile super food is amazing for your brain. When you eat flax seeds, you are also fulfilling your intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is a healthy fat that improves the functions in your cerebral cortex, which is the part of the brain that processes sensory information.

💡 Incorporate flax seeds in your smoothies, on your toasts, with your yoghurt and açaí bowls. They are almost tasteless, but can add a lot of benefits to your diet and productivity!

7. Tuna

The next time you need a mood-booster, try eating some tuna. According to a few studies, tuna contains a vitamin called B6, which can be linked to motivation. This is because when our bodies lack B6, we begin to feel sad and depressed. And we all know, that it’s harder to stay productive when we’re not feeling quite like ourselves.