Our nutrition editor's best buys from M&S' new 'brain food' range
With more and more people concerned about brain health and new research showing we’re often missing key nutrients which contribute to a healthy brain, M&S has launched a new range of 'brain food' products to help us stay on top of our cognitive health.
‘According to our research, 75% of people experience brain fog nine times a day,’ Rebecca Brown, M&S senior nutritionist, said at their recent ‘Home of Health’ event.
‘That, paired with the fact that we know that 80% of our customers are worried about brain health, is why we wanted to create this new brain health range.’
Developed in consultation with the British Nutrition Foundation, M&S has created 13 new products packed with nutrients specifically designed to support brain health. The range focuses on six important nutrients – omega-3 (DHA), iron, iodine, folate, zinc and vitamin B12 – that many of us don’t get enough of.
‘Each product in the brain food line includes at least two of these brain-boosting nutrients,’ explains Brown – making it easy to support brain health in a tasty way.
‘My favourite product is the Brain Ball,’ she says. ‘It's a mix of nuts and dates with an almond butter centre, that's high in iron and high in zinc – which are brain-supporting nutrients.
‘The super salmon salad is really delicious as well,’ she continues. ‘So many people are not eating either enough oily fish in their diet or sources of omega-3 DHA – so this is a really fantastic addition to the range, which you can grab and go for lunch.’
From snacks to smoothies, salads, and breakfast items, M&S has created a range with something to help you keep your brain in check every day. Plus, every product has the ‘Eat Well’ seal of approval, adds Brown, so you can be sure it’s nutritionally balanced.
Here, then, are our favourite products from the new range.
Our favourite items in the M&S Brain Food range
Brain Food Brain Ball
Packed with iron and zinc, the M&S Brain Food Brain Ball features a blend of mixed berries, almond butter, and a coating of raspberry powder, making it a super smart on-the-go snack option.
Brain Food Super Seeded Nut Butter
Looking for an alternative to sugar-laden processed peanut butter? Add a spoonful of the new M&S Brain Food Super Seeded Nut Butter to your morning smoothie for an extra boost. Packed with hi-oleic peanuts, chia, pumpkin, sunflower, and golden linseeds, it’s rich in both iron and zinc — two key nutrients that support brain health.
Brain Food Super Smoothie
The M&S Brain Food Super Smoothie features a blend of banana, apple, guava, and coconut, along with added magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B12 to support brain health. And it's blue!
Brain Food Blueberry and Walnut Shot
Filled with crunchy walnuts, blueberries, roasted coconut, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds, the Brain Food Blueberry and Walnut Shot is rich in folate and a source of iron and designed to boost brain health. Eat them straight out of the packet, or sprinkle them over a bowl of yoghurt.
Brain Food Super Salmon Salad
The M&S Brain Food Super Salmon Salad contains responsibly sourced and fully traceable fish. It’s high in omega-3 – a source of vitamin B12 – and comes with a creamy miso Caesar dressing. The salad features the yellow Eat Well flower sign to show it’s a healthy lunch choice that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
Brain Food Blueberry Yogurt Bowl
The Brain Food Blueberry Yogurt Bowl, swirled with spirulina and blueberry compote and topped with granola, makes for a smart, on-the-go breakfast option for busy mornings.
Brain Food Super Seeded Granola
If you're looking to start your day on the right foot, switch out your regular granola for M&S' Brain Food Granola Super Seeded. Made with cinnamon-flavoured toasted wholegrain oats, puffed rice and barley flakes, along with sweet apple pieces, raisins, mixed seeds, and nuts, it's high in iron and zinc to support brain health.
Brain Food Tropical Kefir Shot
Made with mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and British milk, this Tropical Kefir Shot is packed with added iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 – a great way to support your overall health while enjoying a tasty, gut-friendly drink.
Brain Food Mixed Berry Bar 4 Pack
Rich in iron and a source of zinc, these Brain Food Mixed Berry Bars are filled with dates, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries – a great snack to support brain health.
Read next:
Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER
You Might Also Like
