My Memory Shakes

A few years ago, I saw a TV show about people who compete in memory contests. To prep for the contest, a participant drank blueberry extract and claimed this improved his memory. I found blueberry extract in a local health food store, but to be honest, it was pretty blah. I don't think I drank more than two bottles.

But I never forgot (haha!) that young man on the TV show with the amazing memory. I wanted to learn more about how blueberries help memory and in just googling the simple term "blueberries memory" the first hit was on a scientific study which is free access (some you have to pay to access) "Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults". The median age in the study was 76 and not only did the study subjects experience an improvement in their memory, but the blueberries also seemed to lessen depression. 

I decided to improve a way to ingest this blah-tasting juice and keep it clean. I came up with what I call "Memory Shakes". I buy organic blueberries at either Food Maxx, or when it's open and has blueberries, at the Modesto Certified Farmer's Market. I wash the blueberries and then freeze them. The juice is $4.99 at Sprouts and is R.W. Knudsen's brand "Just Blueberry". The banana provides the sweetness for the shake, but if you need it sweeter, I'd recommend adding a little agave nectar. (But agave is not considered "clean eating" so perhaps try adding a really ripe banana before you try agave.)

Memory Shake
Fill 1/8 of a blender with crushed ice
Add one peeled banana
Add a handful of frozen blueberries
Add about 1 cup of "Just Blueberry" juice
Pour in unsweetened almond milk to desired consistency
(If you wish the shake to be thicker, add more ice)
And if you'd like to satiate your appetite add a tsp or 2 of pectin 

About those smoothies...

When it comes to smoothies, Whole 30 says, "We'd rather you didn't". While smoothies are technically Whole 30 compliant, they detail several reasons why they discourage smoothies (page 72).

The first reason given is that when we drink food, it sends a different signal to the brain than when we chew our food. When we drink our meal, our body may not realize we've eaten and hunger is not satiated. To counter this effect, I add two teaspoons of pectin to my smoothies. (If the smoothie is only for me, I add only one teaspoon). Why pectin? Pectin is used in canning fruits and is derived from citrus so it's all natural. The U.S. Army conducted a study and found that adding pectin to orange juice helped to satiate soldier's appetites. It didn't make a difference on how much pectin was added; one teaspoon per adult worked. NOTE: Do NOT add pectin to plain water to drink. Straight pectin is nasty! But I still use pectin when I'm not on Whole 30 too. I've even added it to margaritas and found I graze less when I do! I buy Ball's powdered pectin at Food Maxx for $4.84.

Additionally, I don't overdo it when I make smoothies on Whole 30. I usually make small ones that I use as a "dessert" so am drinking them with food; not as a meal replacement. Here are the three very easy smoothies I make and all you have to do is throw these items in a blender:

Traditional Smoothie

Banana, handful of frozen strawberries, and almond milk.

Razzmatazz Smoothie

This one tastes like Jamba Juice's drink "Razzmatazz" - banana, handful of strawberries, crushed ice, and pure 100% orange juice (pictured left).

Memory Smoothie

I once watched a documentary about people who enter memory competitions and they drink blueberry extract concentrate to enhance their memory. Scientific studies have found that blueberries can inhibit neurodegeneration to forestall Alzheimer's, etc. - banana, organic blueberries (Food Maxx or at farmer's market), crushed ice, blueberry concentrate (at Sprouts) almond milk.

So when eating clean, just don't overdo it on the smoothies. Try not to use them as a meal replacement and don't drink them all the time.