We all want laser-sharp focus when working at our jobs. Working a day job plus your side hustle requires extra focus since you are juggling so much on your quest for more financial security. That’s why it’s so important to eat good foods to help you increase your focus!
In this post, I’ll go over 5 superfoods that will increase your focus so that you can perform to the best of your ability in your day job AND your side hustle without burning the candle at both ends.
Let’s dive in!
Sea Veggies
Sea veggies like dulse, spirulina, kelp, kombu, and wakame that grow in the ocean contain loads of essential vitamins and minerals that will help you stay focused and on top of your tasks. These vegetables can be considered the multivitamins of the sea because they contain such a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. They are also excellent hormone balancers, support your immune system, and help your cardiovascular system to function well.
Surprisingly, sea vegetables are also high in protein which is essential for optimal brain functioning. Protein can also help you feel fuller longer so that you’re not spending time snacking when you could be working on your side hustle!
Many people don’t know how to add sea vegetables into their diet and this stops them from trying them out. A great way to add them in without noticing is to add a small amount to a smoothie. You can also dice or rip up small pieces and add it to a salad for a salty kick without the table salt. Sushi is a common way to add sea vegetables to your diet, and you can pair it with the superfood listed below for double the benefits!
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, trout, and anchovies are high in brain boosting omega-3 fatty acids. The brain needs these omega-3s for proper neurological functioning. Without adequate omega-3 fatty acids, your brain’s performance will suffer and your ability to focus will deteriorate.
Without adequate omega-3 fatty acids, your brain’s performance will suffer and your ability to focus will deteriorate. #SideHustle #SuperFoods Click To TweetIs eating fish not your thing? You can get great fish oil supplements or non-fish based omega-3 supplements from your nearest health food store. Look for ones that are sourced from wild caught cold water fish sources like those listed above since they contain the least amount of toxins.
Organ Meats
Organic meats are an item that is on many modern people’s plates, which is a shame! Organ meats contain loads of vitamins and minerals that our bodies and brains need for optimal functioning. Organ meats contain more B-Vitamins like folate and B12 than muscle meats, as well as more iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, and crucial fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat-soluble vitamins are essential or good brain functioning. They are also a great source of protein and amino acids.
Common organ meats (all beef) that you could try include:
- Liver
- Heart
- Tongue (which is actually a muscle and can be similar to other muscle meats from a cow.)
You can also eat the organ meats from other animals but they are smaller and so you would need more of them to make a dish. Larger animals like beef and lamb have larger organs and so you don’t need as many of them to make a meal.
Experiment with different recipes to incorporate organ meats into your menu. Or you can add small amounts into recipes you already enjoy and they won’t even be noticed! Adding in a few tablespoons of ground liver into your spaghetti sauce won’t change the flavor too much.
Some people really enjoy the flavor or organ meats once they perfect the right spices and cooking techniques. Instant Pot beef heart has become a popular dish in some circles since the pressure cooker does such a good job at tenderizing the heart.
Blueberries
This one will be easy because blueberries are so delicious! These tiny blue fruits are packed with brain-boosting power! Blueberries have dark skins, and in this dark skin are loads of antioxidants. These antioxidants scavenge for free radicals that can cause damage to cells. They act like the cleanup crew for bad cells in your body. Blueberries also contain loads of vitamins and minerals that will fuel your body’s cells.
When you buy blueberries make sure that you buy organic low-bush blueberries. It’s important to not purchase high-bush varieties since high bush blueberries are often sprayed with more pesticides than their low-bush cousins. Getting out there and picking your own blueberries is a great way to get some sunshine at the same time!
Adding 1 cup of blueberries to a smoothie, to your cereal, or in some plain Greek yogurt will give you enough of their brain-boosting power to last you all day!
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable in the cabbage family whose name literally means flowering cabbage! If left to flower broccoli forms a beautiful yellow flowering cluster. It is an excellent source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, choline, and magnesium. All are necessary for optimal brain function.
Broccoli is also said to contain anti-oxidants which are said to help scavenge for free-radicals that cause damage your cells. This cruciferous superfood is also high in fiber which helps the smooth functioning of the digestive system.
Steaming broccoli lightly is the best way to prepare it to eat since steaming will preserve the most nutrients in the broccoli, but roasting it tastes delicious as well! You can add broccoli to many soups or stews, stir-fry, or raw in a salad. Try to eat broccoli a few times per week to get its benefits!
Conclusion
If you feel like you could use a brain boost to increase your focus try incorporating these foods into your diet. It’s easy to add these things in since they are so versatile! Once you notice the benefits you’ll wish you had eaten them all along!
