The brain is part of your physical body, and like the body, it needs fuel in order to work properly. But just as your body responds differently to the different foods you eat, so does your brain. A common eating mistake we make is to consume too much sugar and too many simple carbohydrates. Sugar and simple carbs provide quick energy, but the effect quickly wears off. Complex carbohydrates boost your brain power all day long. They are called complex because they are long chains of molecules (rather than short ones), that provide more nutrition over a longer amount of time. Great sources for complex carbohydrates include fruit and whole grains. Make it a habit to start your day with a breakfast that is made up of these complex carbohydrates, and snack on fruit and whole grains throughout the day to keep your brain pumping.

Sometimes we are so scared of getting fat that we fail to understand how certain fats, and enough of them, are essential for a healthy body. Omega-3 fatty acids are required for your brain to work properly. Researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids tend to congregate in the brain area and are thought to be essential for cognitive skills. Great sources for omega-3 fatty acids are fish (salmon, tuna, halibut, herring, sardines, lake trout), nuts, and nut oils. Eat more fish throughout the week. Try broiling a filet and then topping it with some herb butter. Have a salad on the side, and drizzle a bit of walnut oil on top. Your brain will thank you.

Your brain contains a lot of water. Without sufficient water, it starts feeling rather sluggish. It might send you little signals that you should have another glass of water by not remembering where you put your keys, forgetting what you walked up the stairs to get, or blanking out on your new colleague's name just as he walks into your office. When you have one of those moments, let it be your cue to hydrate that mass of matter at the top of your head that's responsible for all those details and memory recall and cognitive functions. It's a lot for a brain to handle, and it should have plenty of water around to help. Keep a refillable water bottle or two or three at home. Fill them up nightly, refrigerate (if you like your water cold), and start drinking when you get up. Take one with you to work, on errands, on a walk, or just around the house while you're doing chores. Drink non-caffeinated, non-sugary liquids, as well. Herbal teas are wonderful, relaxing, and tasty hot or cold. Experiment with a few different kinds to find the one you like best.