brain food

noun

variants or less commonly brainfood

ˈbrān-ˌfüd 

plural brain foods also brainfoods

1

: a nutrient-rich food (such as salmon, kale, or blueberries) that is considered beneficial to one's cognitive health (as in improving memory and attention)

Midday, a bowl of … beans and greens hits the spot, nourishing brain food to get you through whatever you're working on.

—Devra First

So, how can you help your brain flex its mental muscle? Start with healthy brain foods, such as walnuts, salmon and whole grains …

—South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Your mum was right—fish really is brainfood. It's all down to the omega-3 fats found in oily fish such as trout.

—Zest (UK)

compare superfood

2

: something (such as an activity or event) that is intellectually stimulating or demanding

No summer getaway is complete without the magic ingredient: a handful of great books. … Whether you're after major brain food, a laugh-out-loud read or life-affirming personal essays, this year's must-reads have got you covered.

—Jessie Thompson

The discussion successfully covered Pakistan's hottest music trends and issues prevalent in the music industry. … Risham Faiz stated, "It was stimulating, it was brainfood, it was all about how music's evolving. It was something that people needed to hear."

—Daily Times (Pakistan)

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1