As fast as your kids run from one room to another, their brains are growing and developing just as quickly. During this time the food they eat is incredibly important! Here are seven foods that can help your little ones stay sharp and affect how their brains develop well into the future.
1. Green Leafy Veg
Full of folate and vitamins, spinach and kale are linked to lower odds of getting dementia later in life. Kale is a superfood, packed with antioxidants and other things that help new brain cells grow. Now, we can understand that convincing your kids to eat leafy green might be a difficult sell, so instead of just serving up a salad, add it to smoothies or a hearty favourite like lasagne.
2. Eggs
Packed with protein and nutrients, eggs are brilliant for helping kids concentrate. Incredibly diverse, whether you’re having scrambled egg on toast for a filling breakfast or a late afternoon snack this fab brain food will keep your kids going until their next meal without the dreaded sugar crash!
3. Greek Yoghurt
Fat is essential to the brain and a full-fat Greek yogurt (which has more protein than other yogurts) can help keep brain cells in good form for sending and receiving information.
Pack Greek yogurt in a lunch with some fun mix-ins: cereal with at least 3 grams of fiber, and blueberries for a dose of nutrients and colour. Dark chocolate chips are another great option! Everyone loves a healthy treat!
4. Nuts & Seeds
Packed with protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, nuts, and seeds may boost mood and keep your nervous system in check. An incredible brain food for your little ones with plenty of options to choose from, from peanut butter to sunflower butter, pesto and wholegrain crackers or just the seeds themselves.
5. Fish
A great source of omega 3s and vitamin D, fish protects the brain from declining mental skills and memory loss. Salmon, tuna, and sardines are an excellent source of Omega 3. Grill it up, mix them into pasta or add them to tacos for a delicious meal!
6. Apples & Plums
Apples and plums are a great sweet alternative, full of natural sugars and quercetin, an antioxidant that may fight the decline in mental skills. The good stuff is often in the skin of the fruit, so buy organic, wash well, and put the fruit in a bowl for quick snacks.
7. Oatmeal
Protein and fiber-rich oatmeal help keep heart and brain arteries clear. In one study, kids who ate sweetened oatmeal did better on memory-related school tasks than those who ate a sugary cereal. Add cinnamon for an extra tasty breakfast and for the added benefit of protecting your brain cells.
