Foods for Kids - Best Brain Foods
Did you know that food affects both a child's behavior and ability to learn?
So, if your child is having attention troubles, one of the first things to observe is what he or she is eating and change it. Dr. William Sears, a leading pediatric expert says, “If a child has a very poor diet, including a lot of junk food, parents should first rule out Nutritional Deficit Disorder (NDD).”
Spinach and kale is good for learning and memory.
Kid Edible Options: Green smoothies. (Recipe here.)
Berries (antioxidants) are good for memory.
Kid Edible Options: (frozen) blueberries
Omega 3 Fatty Acids power up brain cells with energy.
Kid Edible Options: enriched eggs, yogurt, salmon, and my personal favorite flavored Barleans Oils.
Eggs are good protein and choline for energy and growing brain cells. Prevention magazine says that choline is, "vital for the creation of memory stem cells, formed deep within our brains."
Kid Edible Options: scrambled eggs, egg sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs.
High-fiber foods give kids more brain fuel.
Kid Edible Options: whole-grain breads, oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain waffles
DHA is important for brain and eye development.
Kid Edible Options: breast milk, supplements, fish, Omega 3 Oils.
Iron is important for brain development.
Kid Edible Options: beans, walnuts, green smoothies, orange juice WITH any iron-rich foods for better absorption, lean-beef meatballs
For more reading, check out this informative article by Dr. Alan Greene on brain food.