The MIND Diet for Dementia: What to Eat and What to Avoid (2024)

As we age, we often adjust our diets to improve heart health or protect against cancer and conditions like Type 2 diabetes. Less often do we build our diets around our mind and improved cognitive function.

But that’s what the aptly named MIND diet is all about. It focuses on a range of brain-friendly foods that may boost brainpower while protecting against cognitive issues that tend to hamper us as we age.

What is the MIND diet?

MIND is an acronym that stands for “Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.” It’s a bit of a mouthful, but the acronym combines the Mediterranean diet with the DASH diet, which is exactly what the diet itself combines.

The Mediterranean diet incorporates different aspects of healthy eating that align with areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Think fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, olive oil over butter and herbs over salt. The DASH diet, which was developed to treat or prevent high blood pressure, is light on sugar, sweets, and sodium and heavy on fruits, veggies, lean meats, nuts and grains, among other healthy, whole foods.

The MIND diet emphasizes minimally processed whole-and plant-based foods. It limits animal-based foods that are high in saturated fats, dairy products high in fat content, and foods with added sugars.

What can I eat on the MIND diet?

The food groups recommended in the MIND diet are rich in fiber and packed with an array of nutrients linked to better brain health, like vitamin E; omega-3 fatty acids; folate; carotenoids and flavonoids.

  • Beans: Four or more servings per week.
  • Berries: Two or more servings per week.
  • Poultry: Two or more servings per week.
  • Whole grains: Three servings or more per day.
  • Leafy greens: At least one daily serving of veggies like collard greens, kale and spinach.
  • Fish: One or more serving per week of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines
  • Nuts: Five or more servings per week of nuts, specifically walnuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and other nuts loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Olive oil: Daily.
  • Other non-green vegetables: Two or more servings per day.

What should I avoid eating on the MIND diet?

  • Butter/stick margarine
  • Cheese
  • Fried and fast food
  • Red meat like pork and steak
  • Sweets and pastries

Does the MIND Diet work?

Studies have linked the MIND diet to a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, even if not meticulously followed for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The diet was developed in 2015 by Dr. Martha Clare Morris and colleagues at Rush University Medical Center and the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. Morris and the team at Rush found that after an average of 4.5 years, people who adhered most closely to the MIND diet had a 53% reduced rate of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who did not follow the diet closely.

Those who moderately adhered to the diet had a 35% reduction in risk, according to Rush’s study. Another study currently being conducted with more than 600 senior adults in Chicago and Boston will test the MIND diet’s impact on cognitive decline.

Aging is the biggest risk factor for dementia. However, aside from just diet there are lifestyle tweaks you can make to reduce your own personal risk. They include:

Read more about Alzheimer’s and dementia:

Photo credit: Getty Images

The MIND Diet for Dementia: What to Eat and What to Avoid (2024)

FAQs

The MIND Diet for Dementia: What to Eat and What to Avoid? ›

Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the MIND diet features vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables; berries over other fruit; whole grains; beans; nuts; one or more weekly servings of fish; and olive oil. It also limits servings of red meat, sweets, cheese, butter/margarine, and fast/fried food.

What is the number one food to avoid dementia? ›

The MIND diet specifically limits red meat, butter and margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried or fast food. You should have fewer than 4 servings a week of red meat, less than a tablespoon of butter a day, and less than a serving a week of each of the following: whole-fat cheese, fried food, and fast food.

What are the 5 foods to avoid on the MIND diet? ›

What should I avoid eating on the MIND diet?
  • Butter/stick margarine.
  • Cheese.
  • Fried and fast food.
  • Red meat like pork and steak.
  • Sweets and pastries.
Jul 6, 2023

What is the number one trigger for dementia behavior? ›

Pain or Discomfort: General pain, side effects from medications, lack of sleep, and inability to describe their discomfort are all common symptoms that can trigger aggressive behavior or lashing out. Environment: This is the most common trigger for aggressive behavior in dementia patients.

What are three things to never do with your loved one with dementia? ›

Here are some Don'ts:
  • Don't reason.
  • Don't argue.
  • Don't confront.
  • Don't remind them they forget.
  • Don't question recent memory.
  • Don't take it personally.

What is the one fruit that may prevent dementia? ›

Many foods — blueberries, leafy greens, and curcumin (found in the spice turmeric), to name a few — have been studied for their potential cognitive benefit. These foods have been thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or other properties that might help protect the brain.

What is the #1 worst eating habit for memory loss? ›

6 WORST HABITS THAT DAMAGE OUR BRAIN

Poo Diet: Eating a diet that is high in processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats can damage your brain and impair your memory. Instead, focus on eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

What are the three golden rules of dementia? ›

SPECAL sense begins with three Golden Rules: Don't ask direct questions. Listen to the expert – the person with dementia – and learn from them. Don't contradict.

What morning habits increase dementia? ›

One of the habits that can increase your risk of developing dementia by four times is the habit of skipping your breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

What is a common bad habit linked to dementia? ›

You Don't Move Enough

The longer you go without regular exercise, the more likely you are to have dementia. You're also more likely to get diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure -- all of which may be linked to Alzheimer's.

What is looping in dementia? ›

Verbal repetition, also known as looping, is common in all stages of dementia, but can become more frequent as stages progress.

What do dementia eyes look like? ›

You can't tell whether someone has dementia by looking in their eyes. However, vision loss commonly occurs among people with dementia. It's not clear whether vision loss causes dementia or vice versa. It may be that both sight loss and dementia are more common among older adults.

What scares people with dementia? ›

They can feel relieved to know what is wrong or be glad to be able to plan ahead. Some people may struggle to deal with these emotions. They may feel afraid about the future, scared about moments of confusion and forgetfulness, and upset about the impact dementia has on those around them.

What are 4 foods linked to dementia? ›

Many foods in the Western diet have been identified as risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer's, including red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets, and desserts.

What is the best drink to prevent dementia? ›

There is evidence suggesting that drinking green tea intake might reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive impairment. According to a study published in Translational Psychology, tea drinkers are 16% less likely to develop dementia compared with non-drinkers.

What drink improves memory? ›

Brain-Boosting Beverages
  • Coffee. 1/12. If you can't get through the morning without a java jolt, you're not alone. ...
  • Green Tea. 2/12. ...
  • Berry Juices. 3/12. ...
  • Kombucha. 4/12. ...
  • Green Smoothie. 5/12. ...
  • Turmeric Tea. 6/12. ...
  • Beetroot Juice. 7/12. ...
  • Ginseng Tea. 8/12.
Nov 30, 2022

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