Food = Fuel
Food is fuel – and for growing kids getting the right type of fuel for their bodies can make the difference between waking up with energy and getting through a sluggish day at school. There’s an entire menu of brain rich foods that can help improve your child’s performance at school, increase their memory and help them focus. ~SheKnows
Brain Food For Your Kids:
The Best of Breakfast
Prevention Says,
Breakfast is critical for school-age kids. Research has shown that breakfast-eaters do better academically and have fewer behavior problems than breakfast-skippers. (As many as 37% of American kids routinely blow off this meal, reports the Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor University.)
But high-sugar foods set kids up for a midmorning energy crash—right when they’re likely to be in the middle of the more demanding classes, like math or reading. Ideal breakfasts offer protein and complex carbs, which are digested more slowly. Some studies have found that such breakfasts not only keep kids’ energy levels stable all morning, but also improve motor coordination, says Steven Zeisel, MD, a researcher at Duke University. ~Prevention
And suggests,
- Eggs- Contains choline for better memory
- Oatmeal- High in fiber for steady energy
- Strawberries + Blueberries- High in antioxidants
Keep Reading Here For Full List
Brain Boosting Lunch
Enos suggests turkey, pita chips and hummus for lunch. “This combo is an amazing brain booster for the afternoon. Turkey also provides a good solid protein that will increase the focus and concentration of your child.” Enos adds, “The fat from the hummus can serve to help slow your child down, allowing them to concentrate in class. The pita chips are a good source of carbs, which is the gas for your child’s car, and will keep them rolling along throughout the afternoon.”
Kulze says a chunk light tuna is a good lunch choice because it’s filled with essential amino acids which the brain requires a constant supply of. “It’s also an excellent source of omega 3 fats, the superstar fat that provides a fundamental role in all aspects of brain function.” ~SheKnows
Also, Check out Top 7 Brain Foods For Children
Dinner And The Brain
Dinner time is a great time to up the healthy fats and build up those little brains into the evening hours…
Our fat imbalances can really affect our brain health in a negative way. Especially in our young children whose brains are still developing.
Behavior problems, learning disorders, dyslexia, inability to focus, depression, hyperactivity, asthma, allergies, eczema could all be signs that your child is suffering from an essential fatty acid deficiency.
Researchers at the University of Oxford studied 493 UK schoolchildren, between ages 7-9, who had below-average reading skills based on national assessments. Co-author of the study, Paul Montgomery, Ph.D. reported that,
“Higher levels of Omega-3 in the blood, and DHA in particular, were associated with better reading and memory, as well as with fewer behavior problems…”
Overall, children who have higher amounts of essential fatty acids in their systems are linked with having better behavior and learning experiences – among other benefits. ~Natural Healthy Concepts
What to Eat: Wild, organic salmon | tuna steak | mackerel | sardines | flax seeds | chia seeds |walnuts | sesame seeds | pumpkin seeds | sunflower seeds | avocado
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