6 Brain Friendly Foods For Your Child

January 2, 2013

Every parent wants their childen to do well in school and to be happy and successful in life, no matter what path they might choose.

One thing that we know for sure is that eating healthy food impacts your children’s overall health, including their brain function

So what should we be feeding our children?

There is not one super-powered food that can make a huge difference, but the following foods included in their diet, can help improve your child’s overall brain performance.

  1. Oatmeal contains healthy carbs for the energy your child needs to burn throughout the day. Oatmeal cookies are a great choice for midday energy refills.

  2. Water is very important for good brain function. Our brains depend on proper hydration to function well. When we are thirsty, we have more difficulty keeping our attention focused. Dehydration can hinder short-term memory function and the recall of long-term memory. The ability to perform mental arithmetic is lessened when your fluids are low.

  3. Seafood such as salmon and tuna help keep the brain sharp and focused. Salmon is considered to be very brain friendly because it is high in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. They can also be high in mercury, so feeding them to your child only once a week is advised.

  4. Nuts A handful of healthy nuts such as walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and sunflower seeds can improve memory and lessen brain stress. This is because they contain choline and Omega 3, both of which help in improving brain function. Nuts are also an important antioxidant source because they contain vitamin E.

  5. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach are an excellent source of iron and help prevent anemia. Broccoli is also high in calcium, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients for better brain function.

  6. Fruits Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and lime contain vitamin C, a vital antioxidant for the brain. A child should have five servings of fruits and vegetables every day and it is best to acquire these antioxidants from food.

Be creative, be proactive—what you feed your children does make a difference to the development of your children’s brains!