What foods can help boost my memory?

Believe it or not, eating fats helps keep your brain healthy and improves memory. But your mind needs the right kind of fats. Registered dietitian Samantha Heller explains what foods will boost your brainpower.

Transcript

00:00

So if you skip a meal, you're not going to have-- your blood sugar's going to be low. Your brain won't have the fuel it needs. You'll be cranky.

00:06

You won't think well. Your kids won't do well in school if they're skipping meals. [CALM UPBEAT MUSIC]

00:16

First of all, your brain needs healthy fats because-- and this is going to surprise you-- 2/3 of your brain is made up of fat.

00:24

Really, it is. And that fat helps keep all the neurons in your brain healthy. So you want the fat you eat, which is

00:31

going to wind up in your brain. Among other places, to be healthy. So those unsaturated fats, those liquid, at room temperature fats, like olive oil, canola oil--

00:40

and we know those omega-3 fatty acids that we find in fish, in soy, in ground flax seeds-- those are really good for your brain.

00:48

So eat those regularly helps fuel your brain and keep your brain healthy. Also, don't skip meals.

00:55

Your brain uses glucose, which is also known as blood sugar, as its primary and preferential fuel.

01:02

And it can't store it, so it has to take it from your bloodstream. Glucose enters your bloodstream after you eat a meal.

01:10

So if you skip a meal, you're not going to have-- your blood sugar is going to be low. Your brain won't have the fuel it needs. You'll be cranky.

01:17

You won't think well. Your kids won't do well in school if they're skipping meals. So eating regular meals throughout the day that

01:23

includes some healthy wholegrain carbohydrates, like a whole English muffin, or some Shredded Wheat, or some oatmeal, that's going to help fuel your brain.

01:31

Also, fruits are a great choice too. [AUDIO LOGO]