I'm A Nutritional Psychiatrist: 7 Foods I Eat Daily For My Brain Health

Kefir, a fermented dairy product, is a low-lactose treat that's high in brain- (and gut-) supporting compounds. Ramsey explains that since fermented foods help increase microbiome diversity, they also support the brain by way of the gut-brain axis. A growing body of research on psychobiotics1—probiotics that have a positive impact on the brain, like kefir—shows they can help enhance cognitive performance and quell age-related memory decline. Ramsey enjoys using kefir to add a tangy kick to his smoothies or salad dressings.

Salmon and tuna are great and all, but Ramsey likes to challenge people to expand their seafood repertoire for the sake of their mental health. Smaller fish that are lower on the food chain, like mussels and anchovies, tend to be lower in mercury2 and other contaminants, while still packing plenty of brain-boosting omega-3s. Ramsey adds that eating smaller tinned fish also tends to be more affordable, and easier on the environment too.

With 18 grams of plant-based protein and a hefty 15.6 grams of dietary fiber per cup3, lentils are an underrated culinary hero in Ramsey's book. He explains that the little legumes rank high on his antidepressant food scale because of their high folate (vitamin B9) content. (Low folate levels have been linked to an increased risk of both depression and dementia4.) Ramsey likes to toss them in salads or omelets or let them star as their own side dish.

Berries have long been a popular brain food thanks to their phytonutrients that support a healthy inflammation response, neurotransmission, and neuroplasticity6. If they're not in season in your area yet, Ramsey points out that frozen berries can pack the same nutritional punch. He's partial to adding higher-fiber berries like raspberries into smoothies, oatmeal, and beyond.

Many nuts play a protective role in brain health, but Ramsey notes that creamy, sweet cashews in particular are a good source of iron—a brain-healthy mineral that many people (particularly plant-based eaters) don't get enough of in their diet7.

The takeaway

Working any of these seven delicious ingredients will pay off for your brain health and mood—and how you prepare them doesn't matter as much as who you eat them with. "Nutritional psychiatry reminds us of the power food has to connect us," says Ramsey. "No matter what you're eating, when you're eating with people that you care about, you're promoting mental health and resilience. And that's a wonderful way to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month."