3 Easy, Brain Healthy Recipes to boost recovery
This week in yoga teacher training we talked all about the nervous system. We also talked about the gut. I learned that 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps brain cells talk to one another. It’s called the “happy hormone” because it stabilizes your mood and gives you a sense of well-being. Serotonin also helps the memory process.
Your doctor may have told you to eat healthy after your brain injury. I hope this helps you understand one reason why healthy eating matters in brain injury recovery. Your gut has a big impact on your mood, memory, and overall brain functioning.
Brain Healthy Recipes
There are resources at the end of this post if you want to learn more about nutrition and brain injury. For now, I’m linking three brain healthy recipes for you to enjoy.
Keep scrolling to get recipes for:
Almond orange salmon
Grapefruit avocado salad
Chicken and kale soup
This recipe only has seven ingredients including salt and pepper! I found it on BrainHQ’s blog. BrainHQ is the cognitive exercise program my patients use. BrainHQ’s blog has helpful articles on brain health and healthy eating.
This salad is light and refreshing. It calls for homemade dressing, but you can save your energy and use store-bought dressing if you prefer. The original is from Joanna Gaines’ new cookbook. I found a similar recipe online for you to try.
I love soup. I could eat it all the time, even in the summer. This recipe is full of brain healthy vegetables. Soup takes a little more time and energy than other dishes, but the leftovers are great if you can manage it.
Next Steps:
Plan ahead to make one of these brain healthy recipes.
If you have the energy, search online for more “brain healthy recipes.”
Read the resources linked below about the mind-gut connection.
At the end of this post, subscribe to get tips for cooking after brain injury.
Resources: