The High IQ Diet

The foods you snack on at work might be convenient, but they probably won’t make you smarter. Choosing “brain foods” over a bag of chips will keep you alert and focused for your next big meeting.

“The best place to start,” says registered dietician and author of Superfoods: The Healthiest Foods on the Planet Tonia Reinhard, is with foods that contain protein, glucose, vitamins C and D, antioxidants and caffeine.

The right carbs and some caffeine play into the mix. A study done by Dr. Carol Greenwood found that people with poor memories were able to remember more after having carbs for breakfast. A cup of yogurt between meals will help ensure you remember to return that phone call or where you left your to-do list.

Stayed up all night to meet a deadline? Sunflower seeds can aid alertness. They’re full of magnesium, which protects your brain and keeps you focused.

If coworkers remark about your coffee addiction, you can fight back with this: coffee actually speeds up reaction times. Of course, it’s recommended that you have only 2-4 cups of coffee daily, but caffeine triggers high activity levels in the part of your brain that controls planning and monitoring.

Bonus PINK Link: Check out more tips for a happy and healthy summer from a wellness expert in our online exclusive.

By Malee Moua

“A woman’s health is her capital.” Harriet Beecher Stowe