Brain Health Kitchen

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

Sugary drinks aren’t just a blood sugar issue. They’re a brain health issue, too.

Research has linked higher intake of both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages with greater risk of dementia and stroke, which is why Annie gives them their own category of foods to limit.

And this goes well beyond soda. Think energy drinks, sweetened milks, bottled coffees and teas with added sugar, and all the other drinks that quietly add up over the course of a week.

The upside? This can be one of the easier places to make a meaningful change.

In this episode, Annie and Jenny look at the foods and eating patterns that may be working against brain health, and what to choose instead.

Comment PODCAST for the link to listen.

We’re grateful to our founding sponsors for helping make the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast open access for everyone.

NeuroReserve creates science-backed brain health nutrition products, including Relevate, a brain-specific multivitamin with omega-3 fatty acids, Brain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Revanta creatine. Visit NeuroReserve.com and use code BHKPODCAST for 10% off.

BetterBrain is a dementia prevention program covered by insurance for most people, with brain health testing, expert coaching, and a personalized action plan. Learn more at betterbrain.com/annie

10/14/2026

If you’re cutting back on dairy for your cholesterol, eating more plant-based foods, or following the MIND diet more closely, you may be wondering: Am I still getting enough calcium?

The reassuring answer is that a brain-healthy eating pattern can provide plenty of calcium without relying heavily on dairy. In fact, 9 of Annie’s 10 favorite calcium-rich foods are dairy-free.

That matters because calcium supports bone health, and taking care of your bones may be an important part of caring for your brain as you age too.

Comment “CALCIUM” and I’ll send you the full article with Annie’s top 10 calcium-rich foods, how much calcium you need, and what to consider before relying on a supplement. Save this for your next grocery trip! 💚

10/13/2026

Plain, unsweetened yogurt is a great brain-healthy food. The problem is that a lot of what’s in the yogurt aisle barely resembles it.

Added sugar, artificial ingredients, and very few live cultures can turn something with real gut-health benefits into something very different.

In this episode, we talk about the foods that are worth looking at a little more closely, not because you need to eat perfectly, but because some everyday choices can quietly work against metabolic and brain health.

For yogurt, the advice is simple! Look for plain, unsweetened options with live bacterial cultures listed on the label. And if you like kefir, that can be an especially good source of beneficial bacteria.

Comment PODCAST for the link to listen!

We’re grateful to our founding sponsors for helping make the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast open access for everyone.

NeuroReserve creates science-backed brain health nutrition products, including Relevate, a brain-specific multivitamin with omega-3 fatty acids, Brain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Revanta creatine. Visit NeuroReserve.com and use code BHKPODCAST for 10% off.

BetterBrain is a dementia prevention program covered by insurance for most people, with brain health testing, expert coaching, and a personalized action plan. Learn more at betterbrain.com/annie

10/08/2026

Protein isn’t only about building muscle. It provides the amino acids your body uses to make neurotransmitters, hormones, and molecules needed for a healthy immune system, and getting enough may become even more important as we age. 🧠

The standard protein RDA is a minimum designed to prevent deficiency. It doesn’t fully account for your age, gender, or activity level, which is why one number may not fit everyone.

And you can absolutely get meaningful protein while following a brain-healthy eating pattern. Think lentils, edamame, peas, almonds, quinoa, tofu, and dark leafy greens, along with options such as fish, lean poultry, and plain Greek yogurt.

Comment “PROTEIN” and I’ll send you the full article with Annie’s 10 favorite protein-rich brain foods, how much protein older adults may need, and tips for plant-based eaters.

10/07/2026

Are you getting the healthcare you need…and feeling comfortable asking for it?

We’re kicking off Season 2 with Dr. Lucy McBride, a primary care physician and author of Beyond the Prescription. We talk about getting more out of your appointments, bringing up concerns you’ve been holding back, and building a partnership with your provider.

From vaginal estrogen and menopause hormone therapy to wearables, Alzheimer’s risk testing, and GLP-1 medications, we explore how to make sense of your options and get advice that fits your life.

Comment PODCAST and I’ll send you the link to listen!

We are grateful to our founding sponsors for helping us keep the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast open to everyone:

NeuroReserve creates science-backed brain health nutrition products, including Relevate, Brain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Revanta creatine, and their newest product REO3, a high potency omega-3. Learn more at neuroreserve.com.

BetterBrain is the world’s first dementia prevention program covered by insurance for most people, with brain health testing, expert coaching, and a personalized action plan. Learn more at betterbrain.com/annie. Be sure to check out the podcast for special listener discount codes!

10/06/2026

Your doctor sees your test results. How much do they know about the life behind them?

Work stress, worries about aging, your relationship with food, and the demands on your time all belong in the conversation about your health.

We’re kicking off Season 2 with Dr. Lucy McBride, author of Beyond the Prescription, to talk about connecting those dots and building a better partnership with your provider. We also explore wearables, Alzheimer’s risk testing, GLP-1 medications, and menopause hormone therapy, and how to decide what’s useful for you.

Comment PODCAST and I’ll send you the link to listen!

We are grateful to our founding sponsors for helping us keep the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast open to everyone:

creates science-backed brain health nutrition products, including Relevate, Brain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Revanta creatine, and their newest product REO3, a high potency omega-3. Learn more at neuroreserve.com
health is the world’s first dementia prevention program covered by insurance for most people, with brain health testing, expert coaching, and a personalized action plan. Learn more at betterbrain.com/annie. Be sure to check out the podcast for special listener discount codes.

10/06/2026

We’re back! 🧠 Season 2 of the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast is on its way, and I can’t wait to share these conversations with you.

We’re talking about why mistakes help us learn, whether eating more protein leaves too little room for fiber, what the Mediterranean lifestyle looks like beyond our plates, and so much more!

I’m joined by experts to explore what the science tells us, and how we can put it to work in our everyday lives.

New episodes every other Tuesday. I hope you’ll join us! 💚

We are grateful to our founding sponsors for helping us keep the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast open to everyone:

NeuroReserve creates science-backed brain health nutrition products, including Relevate, Brain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Revanta creatine, and their newest product REO3, a high potency omega-3. Learn more at neuroreserve.com (http://neuroreserve.com/).

BetterBrain is the world’s first dementia prevention program covered by insurance for most people, with brain health testing, expert coaching, and a personalized action plan. Learn more at http://betterbrain.com/annie. Be sure to check out the podcast for special listener discount codes.

10/05/2026

The foods that support steadier blood sugar are also foods that support the brain. 🧠

Your brain uses glucose for fuel, but more is not better. Over time, chronically high blood sugar and insulin resistance can create an inflammatory environment that is especially hard on the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center.

The good news is that you don’t need to chase a single “blood sugar superfood.” What matters most is your overall eating pattern: more whole and minimally processed foods, beans, berries, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—and fewer refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods.

It’s the pattern you return to most often that counts.

Comment “BLOOD SUGAR” and I’ll send you the full article, including what the research says about food order and intermittent fasting. Save this for your next grocery trip! 💚