The best foods for brain health

“Brain health is key to our overall health,” continues Rebecca. “It plays a central role in how we function day-to-day, from staying focussed at work to creating new memories with our loved ones. There are many different factors that affect brain health, but nutrition and diet plays a big role. A varied, balanced and healthy diet can support brain health, but there are still certain brain health supporting nutrients that the UK population may be lacking in their diets.”

One of the best ways to kick-start your day is by getting the good stuff in at breakfast. Our Brain Food Super Seeded Granola is a moreish mix of apple pieces, raisins, mixed seeds, oats, puffed brown rice and barley flakes. It’s packed with the brain-supporting nutrients, iron and zinc, and is a source of folate. Try serving with our Good Gut Kefir or High Protein Vanilla Yogurt, a spoonful of nut butter and fresh fruit for a breakfast to keep your brain running smoothly.

Or try our Brain Food Smoked Salmon, Egg and Edamame Pot, which is high in omega-3, one of the key brain-supporting nutrients many of us aren’t eating enough of. Breakfast on the go? Our Brain Food Blueberry Yogurt Bowl, meanwhile, is made with yogurt swirled with blueberry compote and spirulina, topped with crunchy granola and fresh blueberries. Not only does it taste amazing, it’s high in iodine and vitamin B12, to support your brain health.

Our Brain Food range contains some clever smoothies and drinks, which pack in essential nutrients to help look after your brain health. Try our Brain Food Oat of the Blue – a creamy, oat and coconut drink with spirulina, which gives it its distinctive blue colour – that’s high in iodine and vitamin B12. Or pick up a Brain Food Super Smoothie, crammed with apple, guava, banana and coconut and high in vitamin B12 and zinc. Bring some sunshine to your January with our Brain Food Tropical Kefir Shot, which is a source of iodine and vitamin B12 bursting with the tropical flavours of passionfruit, mango and pineapple.

As well as the clever shortcuts in our Brain Food range, there are lots of everyday foods you can incorporate into your diet to help look after your brain health. “Studies suggest healthier diet patterns, like the Mediterranean diet, may support aspects of brain health due to their rich inclusion of fruits, berries, vegetables – including dark, leafy greens, beans, fish, nuts, seeds, whole grains, unsaturated oils and other healthier fats, including omega-3,” says M&S Senior Nutritionist, Rebecca.

Aim to incorporate these foods into your diet, and you’ll be well on your way. Try some sardines on toast with a vibrant beetroot dip and seeded sprinkle, a gut-friendly buddha bowl bursting with diverse plants, legumes and seeds, or a warming dal with crispy chickpeas and kale.