This may seem like either perfect common sense or the ultimate old wives' tale, but there is a direct relationship between how you feel and what you eat. More so than the wonderful maxim “Gloomy day? Eat chocolate.” (Which works only on an occasional basis, by the way.) Your brain is one of your internal organs, and as such, it needs certain things to make it work properly. You might have heard that All Bran is good for your colon, and soy is good for your heart—but did you know that adding mackerel to your diet might make you happier?
What's on the menu
Okay, so hemp and tinned mackerel...um...doesn't sound very appetizing, does it? Here are some Dads Space suggestions for choosing Brain Foods and making them into dishes delicious:
Hemp: Yes, insert joke about hippies here. But seriously—hemp seeds are cheap, and can be very tasty, if they're toasted. Yes, toasted! No, not in the toaster. Take a frying pan, turn your range to medium, and scatter the hemp seeds into the frying pan, no oil, and toast them. Let them cool and then use to top salad or granola!
Mackerel: In tins, it's cheaper than many other oily fish, and generally less bony. Drain, and stir into spaghetti and tomato sauce; it creates a kind of posh “Spaghetti alla marisco” effect, and the sharpness of the tomato sauce makes it less fishtastic.
Salmon: Great for the grill, and makes for a lovely weekend supper. Smoked salmon also goes brilliant with bagels and cream cheese, and freezes well so you can spread out the luxury.
Marmite: Folic acid can apparently boost your mood, and one of the greatest sources of it is our mate Marmite. Apologies if you hate it, but it's great news if you can't live without it. Spread it thinly, though, on buttered toast, if you haven't tried