Mitochondria are “power plants in the cell that turn your food and oxygen into energy in the form of ATP.” While they’re most well-known for their energy-producing gifts, mitochondria have also been linked to the proper functioning and health of your brain and they may also play a role in “a lot of the age-related diseases, like heart disease, diabetes, and neurogenerative diseases.”

Given the importance of these teeny little organelles, it’s curious why we don’t think about them more when it comes to our health, especially when it comes to diet.

Specifically, how do we feed our mitochondria?

There are a few dietary changes we can all make to give our mitochondria a boost.

Looking to get a head start? Here are a few recipes loaded with mitochondria-loving foods!

1. Sauerkraut Lasagna

If you’re looking for a one-two punch for both your mitochondria and your gut think about integrating some cabbage … specifically, fermented cabbage, also known as sauerkraut! This Sauerkraut Lasagna recipe by Peffe Stahl is the perfect way to get your daily dose of mitochondria-loving sulfur!

2. Wild Rice and Sauerkraut Salad

Not down with a lasagna based around sauerkraut? Give this Wild Rice and Sauerkraut Salad recipe by Health Thomas! Thomas fills this salad with a mixture of savory and sour sauerkraut and sweet apple!

3. Almond Cashew Coconut Energy Bites

Magnesium is yet another great nutrient that mitochondria thrive off of! Nuts, such as the almond and cashews used in this Almond Cashew Coconut Energy Bites recipe by Laura Nockett, are rich in not only magnesium, but also healthy fats, another mitochondria-loving food!

4. Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup

Greens are an excellent source of a variety of nutrients, yet when it comes to mitochondria, they supply yet sulfur and small amounts of vitamin B. Collard greens are an excellent way to mix up your weekly diet, yet it’s important to know how to cook these oftentimes bitter greens! Try this Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup recipe by Rachel Hanawalt in order to fully appreciate these greens.

5. Winter Salad With Apple and Pomegranate

Pomegranates are a great sweet treat that also offers phytonutrients, antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. They are a perfect mitochondria-food option! This Winter Salad With Apple and Pomegranate recipe by Daniela Modesto isn’t just great for the winter, but can also be a refreshing mid-day summer meal!

6. Green Pea Fusilli Salad with Orange Citrus Vinaigrette

This Green Pea Fusilli Salad with Orange Citrus Vinaigrette recipe by Julie Zimmer makes the list not only because it’s super nutrient-dense, but also due to the fact that the vinaigrette calls for a half cup of extra virgin olive oil! This incredibly healthy plant-based fat is a great option for feeding those mitochondria.

7. Immune Boosting Lemon and Greens Juice

This Immune Boosting Lemon and Greens Juice recipe by Nikki and Zuzana not only boosts your immune system, but it’s also a great way to boost the health of your mitochondria from that magnesium-rich spinach!

8. Kale and Avocado Salad

Avocado is one of the most nutrient-dense, plant-based foods available! Yet, this Kale and Avocado Salad recipe by Rouxbe makes the list for avocado’s high healthy fat content. Plus, this superfood is paired with yet another superfood, kale, for a delicious salad to boost your mitochondria health.

9. Lemon Olive Oil Cake Baked Oatmeal

While olive oil may be used most commonly in savory recipes, you can most definitely switch it up and use this healthy, mitochondria-loving oil in a sweet recipe. This Lemon Olive Oil Cake Baked Oatmeal recipe by Lauren Smith is a super unique way to start your day with a bit of natural sweetness and lots of healthy fat!

10. Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds

If you’re not a nut fan, but you still want to benefit from those magnesium and healthy fat nutrients, give this Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds recipe by Robin Runner. These sweet treat almonds are a wonderful snack to have on hand!

11. Chickpea Broccoli Curry

Broccoli is one of the best sources of plant-based sulfur! With that said, this cruciferous veggie can be somewhat hard to eat on a regular basis. Make sure to cook broccoli gentle and use lots of flavoring, like in this Chickpea Broccoli Curry recipe by Hayley Canning.

12. Blue Raspberry Overnight Oats

Blueberries are known as an antioxidant powerhouse, plus they “support healthy blood sugar levels, due to their low glycemic index, and high amount of fiber.” This Blue Raspberry Overnight Oats recipe by Lauren Smith is the perfect way to enjoy a healthy dose of antioxidant-rich, mitochondria-loving blueberries!

13. 10 Minute Seitan ‘Beef’ and Broccoli

Another great broccoli recipe! This 10 Minute Seitan ‘Beef’ and Broccoli recipe by Kristen Genton is super fast, super easy, and filled with mitochondria-feeding sulfur.

14. Pomegranate Guava Smoothie

This Pomegranate Guava Smoothie recipe by Viktoria Radichkova provides yet another creative and super yummy way to get those antioxidant and phytonutrient-rich pomegranates into your diet! Whip this up in the morning and enjoy a sweet treat for lunch.

15. Blanched Collard Wraps

If you’re still down to try those collard greens, why not swap out that sugar-rich tortilla or grain-based wrap and use collard greens instead? This Blanched Collard Wraps recipe by Molly Patrick is a super-easy way to enjoy mitochondria-loving collard greens for lunch all week long!