Brain & nervous systemHealthy agingNutrition

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Mind diet

It's simple to follow and may help protect your body from disease.


LearnAnti-inflammatory dietEverything you ever wanted to know about the Mind diet
What’s the MIND diet?
Can you lose weight?
Foods to love
Foods to limit
How to track your weekly servings
Have whole grains for breakfast
Sprinkle in some blueberries
Make lunch leafy
Snack on fruit and nuts
Make fish for dinner
Skip the salt without sacrificing flavor
The question of wine
Sample breakfast: Gingerbread pancakes
Try this scrumptious side instead of processed meats
Sample lunch: You won’t believe it’s kale salad
Sample dinner: One-pan maple mustard chicken and potatoes
Some challenges and limitations

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Year in and year out, the MIND Diet ranks among U.S. News and World Report’s best diets. What makes it so effective?

The MIND Diet encourages you to eat specific, delicious options that support your heart and brain health. It’s not a diet of deprivation. You’ll be motivated to make healthy swaps because MIND Diet foods are satisfying and may help to lower your risk of chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

Sources: van Soest AP, Beers S, et al. The Medite... + 21
  1. van Soest AP, Beers S, et al. The Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet for the Aging Brain: A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2024 Mar;15(3):100184.
  2. Shanley Chien and Erica Urban. The MIND Diet: Meal Plans, Reviews and Tips for 2024. U.S. News and World Report. March 19, 2025.
  3. Christy Ellingsworth and Murdoc Khaleghi, MD. The Everything Guide to the MIND Diet: Optimize Brain Health and Prevent Disease with Nutrient-dense Foods. Everything Publisher, 2016.
  4. Marcason W. What Are the Components to the MIND Diet? J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Oct;115(10):1744.
  5. Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Diet Review: MIND Diet. August 2023.
  6. Morris MC, Tangney CC, et al. MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging. Alzheimers Dement. 2015 Sep;11(9):1015-22.
  7. Agarwal P, Leurgans SE, et al. Association of Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay and Mediterranean Diets With Alzheimer Disease Pathology. Neurology. 2023 May 30;100(22):e2259-e2268.
  8. Barnes LL, Dhana K, et al. Trial of the MIND Diet for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons. N Engl J Med. 2023 Aug 17;389(7):602-611.
  9. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. What is the MIND Diet? December 20, 2023.
  10. Barrow Neurological Institute. The MIND Diet. Accessed July 18, 2025.
  11. Hollis JF, Gullion CM, et al. Weight Loss Maintenance Trial Research Group. Weight loss during the intensive intervention phase of the weight-loss maintenance trial. Am J Prev Med. 2008 Aug;35(2):118-26.
  12. Xu R, Bannor R, et al. How much food tracking during a digital weight-management program is enough to produce clinically significant weight loss? Obesity (Silver Spring). 2023 Jul;31(7):1779-1786.
  13. Nunns M, Febrey S, et al. Evaluation of the Aspects of Digital Interventions That Successfully Support Weight Loss: Systematic Review With Component Network Meta-Analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2025 May 22;27:e65443.
  14. Michael Merschel, Take a fresh look at oatmeal – it's not as simple as you think. American Heart Association News. September 1, 2022.
  15. Mayo Clinic. Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers. May 2, 2024.
  16. Lin Yan. Blueberries and Health. USDA. September 11, 2023.
  17. Blueberry.org. Health Benefits. Accessed July 18, 2025.
  18. American Heart Association. Build a Healthier Salad Infographic. Accessed July 18, 2025.
  19. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Consumers. July 18, 2022.
  20. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Mercury in fish. Accessed July 18, 2025.
  21. Greer RC, Marklund M, et al. Potassium-Enriched Salt Substitutes as a Means to Lower Blood Pressure: Benefits and Risks. Hypertension. 2020 Feb;75(2):266-274.
  22. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol’s Effects on the Body. June 2025.
Written by Rose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed by Gaby Vaca-Flores, RD.July, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Rose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed by Gaby Vaca-Flores, RD.July, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026
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