10 Brain Boosting Foods Recipes to Improve Concentration
Consuming brain boosting foods can do wonders for your brain’s health. You can be proud of having a sharp memory and amazing mental skills even at an older age. For this purpose, you need to add the right ingredients to your meals. However, your food needs not be tasteless and boring. Try the following sumptuous brain boosting foods recipes and enjoy their health benefits.
List of 10 Brain Boosting Foods Recipes
1. Savory Chicken Liver
This recipe is loaded with brain-friendly nutrients. While chicken liver is full of iron, a dash of lemon juice ensures the absorption of the important mineral through its vitamin C content. In addition, sprinkling herbs over the meal not only delivers a wonderful taste but also provides vitamin K which improves the brain’s cognitive function. Lastly, cooking the liver in olive oil provides you with vitamin E which keeps the brain healthy and young through its antioxidant properties.
Gather the following ingredients to prepare this delightful meal for two.
Ingredients
- Chicken liver ……………………. 1 pound
- Salt …………………………………. according to taste
- Paprika ……………………………. a pinch
- Olive oil ……………………………. 2 Tablespoons
- Dried Basil ………………………. a pinch
- Dried thyme ……………………. a pinch
- Water ………………………………. 2 cups
- Vinegar (optional) ……………………………. 4 Tablespoons
- Juice of 1 fresh lemon
How to Make
Follow the steps given below to cook a deliciously savory chicken liver meal.
- Wash and clean the chicken liver thoroughly. Blot dry using a tissue paper and cut into small cubes.
- Put 2 cups water to boil on the stove.
- Add the liver cubes to the boiling water and vinegar mixture. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes or till the liver pieces become tender.
- Use a sieve to drain the water and separate the cooked liver pieces. Blot dry on tissue paper.
- Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add the liver pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on low heat. Keep stirring every now and then.
- Add salt and paprika and cook for ½ a minute more.
- Take out the cooked liver on the serving plate. Squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon and sprinkle basil and dried thyme. Serve immediately.
Tip: Add around 4 tablespoons of vinegar to the boiling water in order to ensure that the liver gets rid of its strong, stinky smell. Instead, a slight tangy flavor will be added.
2. Healthy Broccoli Soup
If your kids do not like broccoli in salads, add it to their soup. This important vegetable delivers vitamin K to the body which sharpens the brain’s cognitive abilities. In addition, this recipe also uses milk which contains tryptophan –a precursor for an important neurotransmitter for the brain.
Ingredients
You would need the following ingredients to prepare this soup.
- Broccoli florets ……………………. 2 cups
- Chicken stock ………………………. 5 cups
- Low fat milk …………………………. 1 cup
- Olive oil …………………………. 1 Tablespoon
- Chopped carrot ……………………. 1 medium
- Chopped onion ………………………. ½ cup
- Garlic cloves ………………………. 2
- Salt (optional) ………………………. according to taste
How to Make
The following steps will help you prepare this healthy and tasteful soup.
- Heat olive oil in a soup pot.
- Add the chopped onions and carrot to the oil and cook on medium heat. Stir every once in a while. Keep cooking for 5 minutes or till contents of the pot start turning brown.
- Add chopped garlic and cook for further 30 seconds.
- Now add the chicken stock and broccoli to the pot. Cook for around 7 to 10 minutes. You may add salt for seasoning.
- Remove the pot from the stove. Let it cool for a while and then use a hand blender to puree the contents of the pot.
- Add milk to the smooth, pureed soup. Return the pot to the stove.
- Cook on low heat till the contents start simmering. The soup is now ready. Serve it with bread croutons.
Tip: Do not skip the carrot. It adds some nice sweet flavor to the soup.
3. Spinach and Egg Breakfast
What can be healthier for the brain than starting the day with a brain boosting meal? Give a twist to your usual egg scramble by adding some spinach to it. While the spinach delivers iron, vitamin K and fiber, eggs are a source of numerous nutrients which enhance the function of the brain. Combining the two ingredients, therefore, can do wonders for the organ.
Here is what you will need for this delicious and super healthy breakfast for 3 to 4 individuals.
Ingredients
- Chopped spinach leaves ………………………. 2 cups
- Eggs ………………………. 4
- Salt and pepper for seasoning ………………………. 1 teaspoon each
- Low fat milk………………………. ½ cup
- Chopped onions ………………………. 2 - 3 medium
- Chopped tomatoes ………………………. 2 medium
- Chopped green chilies ………………………. 2
- Chopped ginger ………………………. 1 tablespoon
- Olive Oil ………………………. 4 – 5 tablespoons
How to Make
Follow the directions given below to prepare this unusual yet healthy egg scramble for breakfast or brunch.
- Whisk the eggs. Add salt and pepper for seasoning and milk to make your scramble fluffy.
- Heat around 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add the chopped spinach and cook till the leaves wilt.
- Remove the wilted spinach from the pan and put aside.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in the pan. Add the chopped onions and cook till they turn brown. Keep stirring every once in a while to avoid burning.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, green chilies and ginger. Cook for 2 -3 minutes on medium heat.
- Add the spinach back to the pan.
- Pour the whisked egg mixture into the pan and stir continuously. Keep stirring and scrapping the bottom of the pan till the eggs are cooked thoroughly.
- Serve the spinach and egg scramble with whole meal toasted bread.
4. Strawberry and Cucumber Salad
Antioxidants are without doubt one of the most useful nutrients for the health of the brain. Since they protect the brain cells from age related damage, serious degenerative disorders – such as the Alzheimer’s disease – can be prevented. In addition research has unearthed a particular antioxidant known as fisetin which can improve memory remarkably. It can also help the patients of Alzheimer’s. One of the richest sources of this wonderful brain nutrient is strawberries as well as cucumber. Therefore, combining the two in a salad makes one of the healthiest and brain boosting foods recipes.
Ingredients
This easy recipe needs the following ingredients.
- Fresh strawberries chopped ………………………. 2 cups
- Fresh, unpeeled cucumber chopped ………………………. 1 cup
- Finely chopped red onion ………………………. ¼ cup
- Fresh lemon juice ………………………. 3 tablespoons
- Chopped basil leaves ………………………. ¼ cup
- Salt ………………………. 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper ………………………. a pinch
- Olive oil ………………………. 1 tablespoon
How to Make
Follow the easy steps given below to prepare this salad within minutes.
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them well.
- Let the mixture stand for about an hour in order to let all the flavors blend together.
- Serve with wholegrain bread.
5. Black Lentil Gravy
Black lentils are a great source of iron as well as fiber. A simple gravy can be prepared to enjoy its health benefits for the brain.
Ingredients
This recipe requires the following handful of ingredients.
- Black lentils ………………………. 1 cup
- Olive oil ………………………. 2 tablespoons
- Salt ………………………. according to taste
- Turmeric powder ………………………. ¼ teaspoon
- Chopped garlic ………………………. 2 cloves
- Water ………………………. 2 – 3 cups
How to Make
This is one of the easiest brain boosting foods recipes. Follow the simple instructions given below.
- Soak the lentils for around 4 to 5 hours before cooking.
- Boil water in a pot.
- Add salt and turmeric and stir properly.
- Drain the lentils and add the boiling water in the pot.
- Cook on medium heat till the water has been reduced to less than half of its original volume and the lentils have become soft. The contents will now look gooey and well combined.
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add the chopped garlic and cook till it turns brown.
- Take out the lentil gravy in a serving dish. Pour the contents of the pan over it. Serve with boiled rice for dinner.
6. Rainbow Fruit Salad
All colorful fruits offer valuable antioxidants which are highly beneficial for the well-being of the brain. Why not combine them all to make a beautiful and healthy salad? You can use different fruits available in the season or add the ones mentioned in this recipe.
Ingredients
For this attractive rainbow salad, you can add 1 cup each of the following fruits.
- Pineapple
- Apple
- Kiwi
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Banana
- Mango
- 2 tablespoon honey
- Fresh lemon juice
How to Make
Making this salad involves the following easy steps.
- Wash and cut the fruits.
- Mix them all together in a bowl.
- Squeeze the juice of 1 large lemon over the fruits.
- Add the honey and mix well.
- Let the mixture stand for a while before serving.
7. Spicy Tuna
Tuna provides the brain with essential omega-3 fatty acids. Try this recipe to enjoy its spicy taste with a friend or your spouse.
Ingredients
You need the following list of ingredients for this recipe.
- Tuna ………………………. 2 cans
- Flour ………………………. ¼th cup
- Lemon juice ………………………. 2-3 tablespoons
- Salt ………………………. according to taste
- Red chili powder ………………………. ¼ teaspoon
- Cumin powder ………………………. ¼ teaspoon
- Black pepper ………………………. ¼ teaspoon
- Allspice powder ………………………. ¼ teaspoon
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
How to Make
Follow the instructions given below to make this spicy tuna.
- Cut the tuna into small cubes.
- Combine all the remaining ingredients (except the oil) in a bowl to prepare the batter.
- Coat the tuna pieces with the batter and let it stand for a couple of hours.
- Heat the oil and deep fry the coated tuna pieces.
- Serve hot with rice.
8. Tempting Blueberry Smoothie
Blueberries have proved to be one of the best foods for the brain by enhancing the organ’s cognitive function as well as memory. The fruit’s antioxidant properties also help in preventing cognitive decline with age. Combine blueberry with nutritious milk, banana, coconut oil and flaxseed oil for a super brain boosting smoothie.
Ingredients
Gather the following ingredients to treat yourself with a glass of this tempting smoothie.
- Milk ………………………. 1 cup
- Blueberries ………………………. ½ cup
- Banana ………………………. 1
- Flaxseed oil ………………………. 2 teaspoons
- Coconut oil ………………………. 1 teaspoon
- A few ice cubes
How to Make
All you need is to add all the ingredients in a blender to make the smoothie.
Tip: Do not skip banana as it adds natural sweetness to the smoothie along with important minerals and vitamins for the brain.
9. Dark Chocolate and Strawberry Pudding
Dark chocolate and strawberries are both a rich source of antioxidants. Enjoy a delightful pudding using these two key ingredients. Not only will it satisfy your sweet tooth, but also the dessert will keep your brain cells in a healthy condition.
Ingredients
Here is what you need for this mouthwatering dessert for two.
- Low fat milk ………………………. 2 cups
- Sugar ………………………. ¼ cup
- Coco powder ………………………. 2 tablespoons
- Dark cooking chocolate ………………………. 1 cup
- Chopped strawberries ………………………. 2 cups
- Corn flour ………………………. 2 tablespoons
How to Make
Follow the given instructions carefully to impress your spouse with this delicious pudding.
- Add milk, sugar, coco powder and corn flour to a nonstick saucepan. Cook on medium heat and keep stirring every now and then.
- Add the chopped dark chocolate and stir to combine the ingredients together. Cook till the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and use a hand blender to remove any lumps. This process will make the pudding smooth so you don’t have to worry about any lump formation earlier.
- Let the pudding cool down before adding the chopped strawberries. Save some for garnishing at the top.
- Refrigerate the dessert and serve when it is chilled.
10. Crunchy Egg and Nuts Salad
Apart from other benefits, eggs are a good source of choline. This substance has been linked with an enhanced memory level. The following recipe tells how you can nourish your brain with eggs as well as crunchy nuts.
Ingredients
This is what you will need to make this nutritious salad for two.
- Boiled eggs ………………………. 4
- Cucumber ………………………. 1
- Chopped cabbage ………………………. 1 cup
- Carrot ………………………. 1
- Chopped walnuts ………………………. ¼ cup
- Chopped almonds ………………………. ¼ cup
- Crushed peanuts ………………………. ¼ cup
- Low fat mayonnaise ………………………. ½ cup
- Apple ………………………. 1
- Low fat yogurt ………………………. ¼ cup
- Olive oil ………………………. 1 tablespoon
- Salt and black pepper for seasoning
How to Make
Prepare this wonderful salad through the following steps.
- Dice the boiled eggs, cucumber, carrot and apples into cubes.
- Mix mayonnaise and yogurt together. Add a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Mix the chopped walnuts and almonds with the mayo and yogurt mixture in a bowl.
- Add the diced eggs, cucumber, carrots and apples to the mixture in the bowl.
- Take out the salad in a serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil. Finally, sprinkle the crushed peanuts over it.