When life gets turned upside down, many of us tend to take shortcuts at mealtime and with snacks. Now that Floridians are all safer-at-home, why not use some of that time together as a family to find ways to eat healthy? There is plenty of evidence showing healthy eating is the cornerstone to good health. But good nutrition is also a crucial factor in protecting your brain health and fighting brain illness. Your brain has some very specific nutritional needs. It requires a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and healthy fats (often referred to as a Mediterranean diet). Luckily, these same nutrients are also good for your physical well-being. Now is the perfect time to make meal planning and cooking a family activity. Encourage everyone in your household to improve their brain healthy lifestyle through eating habits that enhance brain health and fight brain illness.

What you can do today to protect your brain health.

— Eat healthy snacks. Reduce your intake of unhealthy foods that are high in saturated fat, sugar, refined carbohydrates and processed food products.
— Drink lots of water. Keep hydrated, drinking six to eight glasses of water daily and avoid beverages with a high sugar content.
— Add nutrient-rich foods to your meals. Some of the shelves at the grocery store may be empty, but you’ll still find plenty of nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, leafy greens, fruits, fish, whole grains and nuts.
—Get healthy take out. It’s OK to take a break from cooking and get food-to-go but avoid fast food. Why not order a meal from a local restaurant that sources local meat and produce and support the local economy at the same time?
—Limit alcohol.

Remember the foods we eat, the sources of our food, how we prepare and present our food all impact our brain and body health and performance, and our ability to fight brain and physical illness. Why not make a brain healthy choice? Over the coming weeks, we will be providing more information regarding nutrition and brain health including brain healthy, family friendly shopping lists for recipes that we will prepare together on LWR LIVE with the Brain Health Initiative’s Dr. Uma Naidoo and Dr. Stephanie Peabody.

Click for healthy recipes.