The Best Food for Your Child's Brain - And Yours

The Best Food for Your Child's Brain – And Yours

healthy appetite

By Natural Health+

Nurturing your child’s brain development will have a big impact later in his life, and part of this is good nutrition. Choosing the best food will aid in supplying essential vitamins and nutrients to the brain and central nervous system, allowing your child to grow smart and skillful.

Here are the best foods for your child’s brain:

1. Yogurt. Dairy food like yoghurt is full of protein and Vitamin B, important for neurotransmitter development. You can add texture and flavor to plain yoghurt by adding fruits like berries.

Blueberries, strawberries and other varieties possess potent antioxidants and Vitamin C, and their seeds have Omega 3 fatty acids. Serve them plain or as toppings for cereal or bread.

3. Salmon. Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, salmon can help in brain growth and metabolism. Serve this fish several times a week for quicker minds, or try cooking other fish for variation.

4. Eggs. Egg yolks have choline for brain growth, and the entire egg is essentially food for the chick, which is also good for your child. Eggs are ingredients for many dishes, and they can be served plain.

5. Whole grains. Carbohydrates provide energy for brain activity. Whole grains have less chemicals and processing as compared to refined flour. Whole grain bread and pasta are a good way to appeal to a child’s palate.

6. Beans. These contain protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Iron, choline and B vitamins are among the many beneficial nutrients in beans that promote brain growth.

7. Vegetables. Fresh and colorful veggies contain antioxidants, minerals and vitamins for brain development. Do not overcook vegetables in order to let them retain their nutrients: serve them as salad, steam them or mix them in with soup or stew.

8. Lean beef. Meat is a good source of protein minus the animal fat, which is used to build brain tissue. It also contains iron for improved concentration and zinc for better memory.

Reduce the junk food intake of children while supplying them these foods in their lunch boxes and dinner. Be creative in presenting them attractive yet healthy meals so that they will eat them all up.