We all know that the foods we eat fuel our busy and full days. But what about foods that improve our creativity? Is there such a thing? One boon that enables us to embrace creativity in everyday life is the care of our whole self. This includes getting enough movement, taking care of our spirit, and eating whole foods. Whole foods leave us feeling good—which in turn, opens up enough space for our brain to get funky and creative with freedom and ease. We tried eating the following, and watched how their effects affected our creative processes. Try some of these foods or food groups and see what it does for you!

Citrus fruits

Citrus is packed with vitamin C that helps boost your immune system. The citric acid found in citrus (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, etc.) provide you with a boost of energy. Have them as a snack or toss some citrus into your lunch salad. As well, fruits of all sorts help to ignite your throat chakra, which is known to govern your creativity and creative expressions.

Drink water

This may seem simple, but your brain without liquid really doesn’t function well! If you are not getting enough water, your brain is worried about sending out thirst signals instead of new creative energy signals. It’s been suggested to divide your weight in half to know many ounces of water you should drink a day.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are rich in fiber, magnesium, zinc, and calcium. These all support your internal organs and skeletal system to functional well. You need your moving body well to be able to keep reaching for new creative adventures! Adding chia seeds to your water will help you stay full and energized throughout your creative brain storming session.

Goji berries

Gojis are everywhere right now, and it's no wonder why. These dried fruits are also known as a "super food," and are full of numerous health benefits, including improving eye health. These fruits are also a complex carbohydrate, which raises your blood sugar slowly and helps you maintain your blood sugar levels. Goji berries will help you get through a marathon creativity session without crashing. Goji berries can be eaten like any dried fruit that you love, alone or mixed in your favorite breakfast cereal.

Apples

There's a reason an apple a day keeps the doctor away: They're truly very good for you. Personally, apples are my favorite afternoon pick me up for when my energy starts to slump. Apples also help keep your teeth clean, improve your memory, and are full of antioxidants. Choose an apple in the afternoon instead of coffee as your creativity boosting snack.

Quinoa

This ancient grain is one of the most protein and nutrient rich plant foods we can eat. Packed with protein, iron, magnesium, and fiber, eating this as a staple in your diet will sustain you throughout the day. Try to eat quinoa as your main grain during your lunch. Add curry powder to it during the cooking process for extra delicious flavor and to bring some inspiring color onto your plate.

Walnuts

Have you ever noticed that a walnut looks, in shape, like a brain? Some studies show that eating walnuts will enhance your cognitive brain function and decrease your susceptibility to stress. Take some walnuts into your office to snack on as you unpack your most stress free day, filled with new creative ideas.

Greens

Just like Mama always said: Eat your veggies! Leafy greens can be categorized as kale, collards, spinach, swiss chard, broccoli, and more. Eating leafy greens in your diet helps you fuel your body with all the good B vitamins that are nature’s pick me up and mood booster. Add a handful of spinach to your morning smoothie to make sure to get your daily dose of leafy greens. (Popeye, anyone?) There’s nothing better than being in a positive space as you dive into your creative energy for the day. Opening yourself to creativity is an opportunity to allow for more mindfulness in your life. One of the greatest avenues for mindfulness is to be aware and thoughtful of what you eat. Take these easy food suggestions as a beginning point to your path of creativity and well being. — Rose Candela is a passionate artist who writes and teaches women the power of creativity. Through her mentorship programs, she invites her clients to become in rhythm with their intuition and unique creative abilities. Join her weekly musings online at rosecandela.com.