Protecting Brain Health in Midlife

Midlife is a critical time to focus on brain health, as lifestyle choices during this stage can significantly impact cognitive resilience later in life.

Brain Health Tips for Midlife:

• Keep your heart healthy through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
• Reduce stress through mindfulness practices or by pursuing hobbies.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, which increase the risk of cognitive decline.

Recipe Spotlight: Mighty Minestrone Soup

A hearty, fibre-rich meal to support cardiovascular and brain health:

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 can (796 mL/28oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes
• 1 carton (900 mL) low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup whole-grain pasta
• 1 can (514 mL/19 oz) no-salt-added mixed beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chopped spinach

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and zucchini for 5 minutes.
2. Add basil, oregano, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil.
3. Stir in pasta and beans. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4.  Add spinach and cook for 5 minutes.

Recipe Credit: Canadian Food Guide