We all know the importance of eating a balanced diet. Sadly, we can’t just live off of carbs and sugary treats. We need a good balance of everything in order to get the right nutrients so we can feel and look our best.  

But if there is a particular part of your life that needs addressing, food can always lend a helping hand. This time, we’re looking at how food can help you focus.

Keeping motivated and on track with tasks can be tricky at the best of times. There are so many distractions just waiting to be looked at. You might be tempted to put off a task in order to play poker online instead. 

If you struggle with all the distractions of everyday life, it might be time to look at your diet and see how that could help. We’ll be taking a look through what foods you should be looking at in order to help you focus. 

What foods help you focus?

• Oily fish

Omega 3 is one of the most important elements you need to keep your brain healthy, and it is mainly found in oily fish. It is thought that omega 3 ensures brain health through reducing inflammation on the brain. It can also oxidative stress on the brain which is vital for its development.

This is why omega 3 can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. There is not enough evidence right now to say that it will definitely stop the disease from being contracted, but we know that omega 3 is one of the best ways to look after your brain. 

• Leafy greens

Leafy greens might not be everyone’s favourite vegetable, but they are when it comes to your brain health! Brains love leafy greens because they have lots of vitamin K, lutein, phylloquinone, and nitrate.

All of these vitamins and minerals are great for keeping your brain healthy and are therefore perfect for keeping you focussed. Thankfully, there are lots of different leafy greens to choose from.

You’ve got broccoli, kale, spinach, collard greens and all different types of lettuces. Most of these could be added to your usual lunches and dinners without even realising it. Why not chuck some spinach into your morning smoothie? The possibilities are endless. 

• Eggs

Eggs are another food that is perfect for keeping your concentration going. They have a super high protein count which is vital for brain health. 

There are studies that show that the high levels of tryptophan in your blood after eating eggs, can help maintain the neurotransmitters in your brain. This is perfect for retaining information and keeping focussed. 

• Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are perfect for keeping our brains in the best shape possible. They’re similar to oily fish in that they are high in those essential fatty acids that keep our brains going. 

Nuts and seeds also contain a lot of vitamin E – an essential vitamin for keeping our brains in shape as we age. Diets high in vitamin E have been linked to doing well when completing a difficult test.

More studies are necessary to make definitive conclusions to these sorts of claims but the evidence we’re seeing so far looks promising. And when the foods are tasty, there’s nothing to lose when adding them to our diet!

They’re also so easy to add to our meal plans. Why not have a handful of nuts alongside your breakfast in the morning? This will ensure a great start to the day. You can also add them to salads and smoothies to keep that brain working hard throughout the day. 

• Water

Obviously, water isn’t a food at all, but it is vital for concentration. You know those headaches you get when you’re dehydrated? Those are a sign that your brain cannot function as well as it should, and you need to keep hydrated.

We are made up of mostly water so it only makes sense that we should replenish the supply little and often. There are a lot of ways you can try and stay hydrated, so it feels less like a chore.

You can split your day into sections and ensure that you’re drinking a glass of water in each section of the day. Or you can get two litre water bottles that are split into hours of the day. All you need to do is make sure you drink down to the appropriate line in order to get your hydration in.

All you need to remember is that if you’re doing exercise, you’ll need more than your recommended two litres as you’ll have lost some water through sweating. 

Food is a great fuel for our bodies and can help us achieve some amazing things. Which food that can keep us focussed are you most excited about?