My Daddy Used to Say…

“My daddy used to say, ‘If you want your mind right, put some fish on your plate.’ Around our way, that usually meant whiting or tilapia—simple, affordable, and always doing the job.

Whiting and tilapia may not get all the fancy headlines, but they’re still solid brain food. Both are lean sources of high-quality protein, which the brain needs to stay alert and energized. Protein helps produce neurotransmitters—the chemicals that allow your brain to communicate clearly and quickly.

These fish also provide important nutrients like vitamin B12 and niacin, which support memory, focus, and overall brain function. While they’re lower in fat than salmon, whiting and tilapia still contribute omega-3s that help keep brain cells healthy and support long-term cognitive health.

So when my daddy stood over the stove and said fish would help you think better, he wasn’t talking gourmet—he was talking sense. A plate of whiting or tilapia feeds more than your stomach. It feeds your mind.