School is beginning, and everyone wants to start the year off right. Foods that keep the body working correctly and keeping healthy are, of course, natural non-processed foods, but here are a few proven “brain foods.” Fish is the number one “brain food.” It contains omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils (remember these fats occur naturally, therefore are good for health.) Omega-3 fatty acids are good because they promote neuronal growth (nerve cell) and improve cholesterol. Those who like fish should try salmon. Those who do not particularly like fish should try a non-fishy tasting fish like tilapia.

Two important food groups that Americans probably do not get enough of is fruits and vegetables.

At least nine servings of fruits and vegetables is recommended. It sounds like a lot, but it’s not. Half of a cup is a serving. This means two broccoli spears, a small apple or half a cup of unsweetened canned fruit counts as one serving.

A can of unsweetened fruit contains two and a half servings. Fruits and vegetables are brain foods because they are natural foods filled with vitamins and minerals.

Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, oranges, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, avocados and cherries are a few fruits and vegetables that have a reputation for improving health, but aim for anything full of bright colors.

Water is the most abundant resource in the world, but today people usually consume too many carbonated, caffeinated and processed drinks filled with sugar. Eight glasses of water a day is recommended to keep the body and brain fully hydrated.

There are many “brain foods,” and an easy way to tell is that basically anything found in nature will benefit one’s health.

Many people sometimes forget a favorite food that is grown in nature – chocolate.

Chocolate makes people feel better when eating for enjoyment, under stress or as a comfort food, but milk chocolate is not a food people are recommended to eat nine servings of a day. In fact, the best chocolate is the chocolate that has at least 60 percent cocoa (the chocolate that comes from the plant). It doesn’t taste as good as milk chocolate, but look around and there may be a dark chocolate bar that is enjoyable. It’s also been proven that when in times of need, milk chocolate can actually benefit health.