O.C. Writers

by Ana Reisdorf

Broccoli, Kale, Spinach…Oh my!

As a dietitian, I want you to eat your green veggies every day, preferably at every meal. By greens, I mean broccoli, kale, spinach, lettuce, etc. Pretty much anything leafy, green and generally bitter tasting.

I’m not saying this to torture you or to be some kind of food police because honestly, I don’t thrive on that. I am saying this because greens (and other healthy foods) can seriously change how your brain functions and have a big impact on your writing. Yes, really! Greens are incredible for your brain, helping keep mental abilities sharp.

Good for your brain, Good for your writing

There are several nutrients in green leafy veggies that boost brain function, which in turn can help improve your writing. A study of over 950 adults found that those who ate at least two servings of green leafy vegetables per day had the cognitive abilities of a person 11 years younger compared to those who consumed no green leafies at all.

The brain-boosting secret of these powerful plants lies in their nutrients, specifically vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta-carotene. Imagine having your brain functioning at a higher level than others your age! Think of the advantage in terms of your productivity and creativity. It’s almost like the magical brain boosting powers Bradley Cooper discovered in the movie “Limitless,” but without the terrible side effects.

Good for your vision, too!

The benefits don’t stop there. Nutrients found in greens don’t just improve brain health, they also keep your eyes healthy and reduce the risk of age-related vision problems. Beta-carotene (vitamin A) is needed to see light, inadequate vitamin A leads to night blindness. If the deficiency gets bad enough, blindness results. It is actually the number one cause of blindness worldwide. Maintaining good vision is incredibly important for writers. After all, it’s pretty hard to write without your eyesight.

Little leaves, Big benefits

No other single food provides this much nutritional benefit in such a small package. Leafy greens are where it’s at! I recommend varying your green leafies each day — broccoli one day and spinach the next — but it’s also fine to stick with your favorites.

Okay, I know they’re likely not your favorite food, so sneak them in where you can. Throw them into an omelet at breakfast, add a little cheese or bacon to make it taste great. Always top your sandwich with lettuce or eat it along with a side salad. Make a smoothie and throw in a handful of spinach. I promise, you won’t even taste it. At dinner, sneak greens into casseroles or soups.

Get your two to three servings a day and get to writing. Your brain and eyes will thank you for it.

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Ana Reisdorf, Freelance Writer and Registered Dietician Nutritionist

Ana Reisdorf is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and freelance writer with 10-years experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Currently, she works to share her passion for nutrition on a larger scale as an author. She has written for various online publications, such as thenest.com and Dr. Josh Axe. Her latest article “Beauty and Nutrition” was published in Today’s Dietitian magazine.

Ana brings her extensive nutrition experience, understanding of psychology, and compassion to every article and client interaction. She has a passion for helping people achieve ideal health and make transformational changes in their lives.