After getting back from my blissful holiday in Costa Rica I have decided to get in shape. Being surrounded by body-beautiful surfers 24 hours a day does nothing for the self-confidence. So I’ve decided to start eating more healthily and start building some muscle.

Sadly there is one fatal flaw to my plan - I’m allergic to the gym. Seriously, going near the place brings me out in a rash. But instead of letting this defeat me I’ve decided I’m going to start by flexing a different muscle instead. My brain.

Yep, if there is one thing I’ve learnt, nothing screams sexy than a girl with an IQ, regardless of their physique. And after doing some research I’ve found that certain foods can help boost your mental prowess. So ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the top superfoods for eating yourself smart:

Clams

It is the B12 in these molluscs that is good for brain health.  People who have low levels of the vitamin are at an increased risk of brain atrophy or shrinkage. Like I need anymore of an excuse to tuck into a huge plate of Spaghetti Vongole.

Anchovies

These salty little critters are high in a substance called DMAE, which accelerates the production of acetylcholine, a substance, which reduces anxiety, improves concentration and learning. If, like me you can’t stand the taste of them, then add them chopped to pasta sauces, they dissolve when cooked and actually leave a nice flavour to your dish.

Avocado

Avocados contain those good, monounsaturated fats, which help to improve blood flow to the brain and optimise brain function. They also lower high blood pressure, which is associated with a decline in cognitive function. The other great thing about avocados is that they make a great facemask – mash up one half of the fruit with some honey, slather on your face for 10 minutes and rinse off. What a multifunctional fruit - giving you both beauty and brains.

Prawns

Prawns are a great source of vitamin D, which is thought to help cognitive function by increasing a brain chemical called acetylcholine which influences memory. Sometime it pays to be shellfish.

Chicken

We all know poultry is good for building brawn as it is high in protein but it is also great for your IQ. It contains high levels of B6, an important vitamin, which helps the neurotransmitters that send messages to your grey matter.

Apricots

Studies have shown that people who have iron-deficient diets are more likely to have a short attention span and lower IQ. Apricots are a great source of vitamin C, which helps enhance iron uptake in the body. This gives me the perfect excuse to tuck into spoonfuls of Häagen-Dazs Mango & Apricot Smoothie Ice Cream and as it’s lower in fat than other ice creams so I am also helping my body keep in shape. I’ll be beach-ready in no time.

Now that I’ve got my food list all I need to do is get to the supermarket before it shuts to shop smart.