5 Brain-Boosting Foods for Kids

What you feed to your child has a very huge impact on his brain development and intelligence especially in the first three years of his life. During this time, he’ll learn how to think, behave, explore and develop many other cognitive skills. Food plays a very important role in growth and development so the body needs to be fueled with the right foods for better brain function, because the brain absorbs nutrients from what we eat daily. Check out these five super brain foods to include in your child’s diet:

Beans

Beans are packed with powerful nutrients including protein, complex carbs, zinc, folate, antioxidants and even fibre, so they make an excellent brain food for your child. Kidney and pinto beans are also high in omega-3 fatty acids that increase cognitive brain function. Add more beans to your kid’s diet. Toddlers love mashed beans. You can also mix them up with rice or add them to salads.

Leafy Greens

Green leafy vegetables are also great for positive brain development. Vegetables like spinach and kale are rich in vitamin E and K, lutein and folate. Your kid might have a problem with eating vegetables though, so you need to find out clever ways to add them to her meals. You can puree the vegetables into sauces or soups or hide them in sandwiches.

Oats

Oats are not only great for breakfast, they are also good for your child’s brain. Some studies have shown kids who had oatmeal added to their diet perform better in memory related tasks. Oats contain essential B-Vitamins, Vitamins E, Potassium and Zinc. They also provide your child with the energy they need for the day’s activities. Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder into a serving of oats for your child’s breakfast for improved flavour. You can also throw in some nut butter and sliced bananas or strawberries.

Oily Fish

Fish like salmon, sardines or mackerel are good sources of protein, vitamins A and D as well as Omega-3 fatty acids for your child. These are nutrients important for brain development in children. Complement sandwiches and salads with oily fish.

Apples

Apples make quick and healthy snacks for lunch boxes any day. They are packed with antioxidants that boost cognitive function. They also contain querctin which helps stimulate brain activity and protect brain cells against oxidative stress.

Other super brain foods:

Eggs
Lean meat
Nuts and seeds (Be aware for allergies)
Turmeric
Berries (Cut or puree them to prevent choking in babies and toddlers)
Sweet potatoes (Pureed or cooked till very soft for babies and toddlers)
Mashed Avocados
Whole grains, cooked till soft.

Healthy brain development is a very important part of childhood. Include these healthy foods in your child’s diet to help their cognitive function and mental skills, boost academic performance and improve concentration.