A lot of people go to the gym making gains, but what about your brain gains? Check out 10 healthy - and yummy - brain foods. Let’s make some gains people! Brain #gains.

Dark Chocolate

Brain Gain

Improve cognitive function and blood flow to the brain. Healthy CAN taste good! Now don’t go downing a chocolate fountain or 3ft chocolate Easter bunny. Just know that a couple pieces of dark chocolate are no longer an indulgence, but a health requirement, so save you indulgences for other things, like cake. :)

Celery

Brain Gain

Lower the risk of memory loss. Memory function is aided by a plant compound Luteolin. (Luteolin can be found in peppers and carrots as well.)

Fun Fact

Celery is negative calories! I’m serious - so long as you nix the toppings. Because the crunchy green has so much fiber, it takes more energy to break it down digestively than there are calories in the food. If you want to add some flavor, try a healthy and delicious topping like peanut butter (which is a healthy fat full of protein, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and a boat load of the other good stuff.)

Walnuts

Brain Gain

Boost brain function and healing. Full of omega-3, natural phytosterols, and antioxidants, these nutty delights will keep you healthy head-to-toe. To name a few perks, walnuts improve bone health, your metabolism, and even alleviate mood in children and adults! Now I know what to munch on when I start getting hangry.

Crab

Brain Gain

Lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and help make neurotransmitters. YAY - crab cakes for breakfast! Just one serving of crab meat contains your daily requirement phenylalanine, an amino acid, that promotes several neurotransmitters, including dopamine - happy days! They are also a great source of B12.

Chickpeas (Yes, hummus)

Brain Gain

Increases blood flow to the brain and increases the speed of message transmission in the brain. Chickpeas/ Garbanzo beans are one of the best sources of magnesium (also found on green leafy veggies.) These go great in a salad, or eat them as hummus, perfect as a dip or a spread on basically anything.

Blueberries

Brain Gain

Improve learning, thinking, and memory abilities. So basically the antioxidants in blueberries will turn you into a super genius! They are also known to reduce stress and have less sugar than other fruits.

Ginger

Brain Gain

Reduces inflammation and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. Ginger is a superfood! Apart from making brain gains, ginger can help with: arthritis, fighting infections, nausea, lowering cholesterol and so much more. So add the zing to your drink that wakes you up in the morning!

Eggs

Brain Gain

Maintaining memory and communication between brain cells. Next time you are deciding between a regular omelet or the egg whites, go for the gold. The sunny yellow egg yolk contains choline, a nutrient similar to vitamin B, which helps produce essential neurotransmitters for memory and overall brain function.

Wine and Champagne (For those >21)

Brain Gain

Improved spatial memory and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s. While some people are still on the fence about this one, it seems a glass of wine or bubbly helps stop beta-amyloid proteins - which can lead to Alzheimer's- from harming brain cells. But don’t be fooled, this doesn’t mean finish the bottle. These benefits only come from moderation.

Kale

Brain Gain

Promotes brain growth and creates more resilient brain cells. We all know kale has a bazillion vitamins and nutrients, but one of the most prevalent ones is Vitamin K. It contributes to the production of specialized fats called sphingolipids that create the structure of our brain cells. Kale also contains Iron, vitamin B6, and folate which help produce serotonin and dopamine which boost your mood and keep you calm- I should have eaten this more during midterms week...

Be healthy, be happy, and make [brain] gains!