Nourish the Mind and Body With These Thoughtful Meals

At The Haven, our Pittsburgh memory care community, we are committed to helping honor our residents’ memories and experiences by promoting their brain health. We do this by providing sensory stimulation, socialization, various therapies, and more. One of the really amazing things we offer our residents are meals that are specifically designed to help foster brain health.

We follow the MIND Diet–a plan created by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that breaks down brain-healthy foods that a person should eat, such as nuts, berries, beans, fish, poultry and leafy greens. It also categorizes unhealthy foods to avoid, such as red meat, butter, cheese, sweets and fried food. The researchers have evidence that eating these certain types of food and avoiding others may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53 percent–a study they conducted showed that participants whose diets most closely followed the MIND diet had a level of cognitive function that of a person 7.5 years younger.

Our goal at The Haven is that the MIND diet, in conjunction with our many Memory Care programs, will help hold off memory issues for as long as possible and promote a healthy mind. Keep reading for MIND diet recipe ideas from The Haven, one of the top Pittsburgh retirement communities.

MIND Diet Meals

Breakfast Ideas
You know what they say–breakfast is the most important meal of the day! At The Haven, we make sure our residents get healthy, energizing breakfast each morning that incorporates fresh foods from the MIND Diet recommendations. Here are a few breakfast ideas that promote brain health:

• Greek yogurt with toppings such as berries, grapes, cantaloupe, melon, and granola.
• Whole-grain toast with smashed avocado, which you can also top off with foods like an egg or tomatoes.
• A berry smoothie bowl with fresh berries and granola on top.
• Blueberry whole-grain muffins.

Lunch Ideas
There’s nothing quite like a light, refreshing lunch for getting an extra boost of energy for the day. Plus, lunch is a fun time to socialize with friends and catch up. At The Haven, we make sure our lunches give something for residents to talk about! Here are a few lunch ideas that follow the MIND Diet:

• Power bowl: quinoa and kale base topped with grilled chicken, corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes–or whatever combination of toppings you like!
• Salad: there are so many kinds to choose from (Caesar, Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, cobb, etc.)
• Wrap: create a wrap using a whole grain tortilla filled with chicken, leafy green, tomatoes, and a bit of cheese–or whatever you prefer!

Dinner Ideas
After a long day of fun activities, our residents love to indulge in delicious dinners. Check out these yummy, brain-healthy dinner ideas:

• Chicken Fajitas: grilled chicken, peppers and onions served on tortillas with a side of brown rice, corn, guacamole and/or salsa.
• Spaghetti: Whole-wheat spaghetti served with turkey meatballs and red sauce.
• Fish tacos: grilled fish served on corn tortillas and your choice of toppings, such as onion, cilantro and sauce.
• Chili: Use a variety of beans and vegetables paired with turkey for a healthier alternative to classic beef chili.
• Salmon: sear salmon and serve with boiled potatoes and corn salad.

Snack Ideas
While we offer three meals a day, we know that some people enjoy snacks throughout the day. These brain-healthy snacks can help provide an energy boost:

• Unsalted almonds, cashews or peanuts
• A serving of blueberries and strawberries
• Whole-grain crackers
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Granola bars
• Kale chips

The opportunities are endless when it comes to using the MIND diet’s recommendations to create delicious, healthy meals that support brain health. At The Haven retirement community in Pittsburgh, our talented Chef is always experimenting with these healthy ingredients and switching up the menu to give residents a variety of cuisine.

Our doors are always open–stop by to try out our dining experience for yourself! Contact our friendly team today to join us for lunch, learn more about our Pittsburgh memory care community or to schedule a tour of The Haven.

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