Smart Eating for Sharper Thinking: Wild Salmon Salad + 24 New Brain-Boosting Recipes
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Why This Recipe is Brain-Optimised
Your brain is made mostly of fat and thrives on nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods. This recipe is a nutritional powerhouse tailored to support cognitive function, memory, and mood – all key pillars of the COGNITION® brain upgrade programme.
Here’s how it delivers:
- Omega-3 fats from wild salmon support the structural integrity of your neurons. DHA, in particular, is vital for sharp thinking and memory retention.
- B Vitamins, especially B12 (from salmon), B6 and folate (from chickpeas and rocket), are key players in methylation – the process that powers your brain’s biochemistry and detoxification pathways.
- Protein + Fibre Combo (salmon and chickpeas) keeps your blood sugar stable, sustaining energy and focus throughout the day.
- Antioxidants in rocket, lemon, garlic, and optional red pepper help neutralise brain-ageing free radicals.
Low Glycaemic Load supports stable mood and mental clarity by avoiding sugar crashes.
Eating for brain health doesn’t mean boring. This salad is fresh, zingy, and ready in minutes – ideal for picnics, packed lunches, or a light dinner.
Prep tip: Double the pesto and keep it in the fridge – you’ll have a brain-friendly dressing ready to jazz up any salad or veggie dish. No boring meals required.
Wild Salmon and Chickpea Salad with Rocket and Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 100g cooked wild salmon (3½ oz)
- 80g cooked chickpeas (2¾ oz)
- 1 handful rocket
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- ½ garlic clove
- 1 tsp nutritional yeast optional
Instructions:
1. Blend rocket olive oil lemon juice garlic and pumpkin seeds to make pesto
2. Toss salmon and chickpeas with the pesto
3. Serve on a bed of leafy greens
Cooks notes:
- Use frozen wild salmon for ease
- Add red pepper slices for extra brain-friendly antioxidants
- Double up the pesto recipe and keep in a sealed jar in the fridge to dress a different salad.
Add red pepper slices for extra brain-friendly antioxidants
Why Now’s the Perfect Time to Join the Cook App
Right now, subscribing to the Upgrade Your Brain Cook App doesn’t just give you access to over 100 delicious, nutritionist-designed recipes – it also unlocks our Summer Recipe Bonus Bundle: 12 new recipes, each one optimised for brain health and bursting with flavour.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll get:
- Brain Boost Balls – a perfect mid-afternoon focus snack
- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Walnut Lentil Pâté – hearty and satisfying
- Blueberry Chia Pudding – low GL and ideal for a nourishing wind-down
- Turmeric and Cauliflower Soup – warming, silky, and anti-inflammatory
- Mackerel and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger Tamari Glaze – a 10-minute omega-3 hero
And that’s just the beginning.
Join the Brain Food Revolution
Every dish in the app is scored for omega-3s, B vitamins, GLs, and antioxidants – making it easier than ever to eat smart. With new features like the “Goes Well With” section, meal planning becomes seamless. Whether you’re following low GL, keto, or simply want to feel sharper, calmer, and more energised – this is your toolkit.
Let your fork do the upgrading. Try the salmon and chickpea salad now, and discover how good brain food can really be.
Want the Ultimate Recipe for Brain Health?
Here’s your 3-step action plan:
- Take the FREE Cognitive Function Test. Get personalised insights into your brain health and identify any key risk areas.
- Subscribe to the Upgrade Your Brain Cook App. Discover exactly what to eat to improve your scores and support long-term cognitive health – all in one delicious, easy-to-use tool.
- Order the At-Home Pin-Prick Blood Test here
Available internationally, this test gives you deeper insight into the critical biomarkers affecting your memory, mood, and mental energy – so you can take action with precision.