We all want to give our children every advantage in life, including intelligence. We engage in creative play, read to them, and explore the world daily to develop those little minds. However, what we put into our children’s bodies is just as important as the stimuli to which we expose them.
Proper nutrition is essential for growth of the body and mind. While some days we might find it hard to get young children to cooperate with a healthy diet, we need to try. Here are some foods to boost your kid’s brain power and tricks to making them fun for young children.
Berry Delicious
Including a variety of berries in your families’ diet can help develop those young minds. While berries contain vitamin C and antioxidants for general health, they also provide compounds which have been shown to improve brain function. Additionally, the fiber and micronutrients present in berries have a positive effect on our blood circulation. For growing minds eating berries can help protect them from future harm and build a healthy system.
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, Goji berries, blackberries and more offer so many benefits to your child’s brain. The sheer variety of berries available means you can incorporate them into any picky eaters diet. Try adding them to ice cream or making berry hand-pies. For busy days, blend frozen berries with yogurt, juice, and bananas for a healthy and delicious smoothie breakfast.
Eggs-cellent Memory
Eggs are another food that can help make your child smarter. Eggs not only provide protein (essential for brain development), they also have Choline in the yolks. Choline is a critical nutrient in memory. If your kid is forgetful, try adding more whole eggs into their diet.
While many children might turn their noses up at eggs on a plate, hiding them can be a practical solution. Consider making breakfast burritos, with eggs, low-fat sausage, sweet potatoes and cheese for a delicious and brain-stimulating meal. You can also indulge in the occasional homemade cheesecake, knowing that all those eggs are helping your kid’s memory! While you’re at it, make a strawberry cheesecake for a double dose of brain power.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Time
Peanut butter is one food we can usually count on kids eating, and it’s thankfully good for your little genius. It’s full of vitamin E, Thiamin, Folate, and Glucose. The Glucose helps energize your child to focus on learning, Thiamin boosts memory and Folate aids brain development. Folate plays a crucial role in your child’s ability to create new synapses which support learning and memory.
While peanut butter makes a great dip for fruit and veggies, it can also be included in deserts and sandwiches. However, be careful to steer clear of sugar-loaded versions and opt for the natural all-peanut jars.
Oats N’ Honey
The most basic breakfast staple of oatmeal is probably one of the best foods to give your children to promote cognitive function. Oatmeal contains vitamin E, B complex, and Zinc, alongside Fiber. The combination is known to keep kids full and support healthy brain systems. Zinc has been shown to have vital importance to brain functions, making this addition to your family diet an important one.
While we all know oatmeal isn’t fancy but, it can be dressed up with any variety of healthy additions. Adding berries, nuts, and honey is a surefire way to entice kids to try a brain-stimulating oatmeal breakfast. Other options include making oatmeal cookies and breakfast bars.
Try adding these four mind-enhancing ingredients to your child’s diet and watch them flourish! We all know that young minds are continually growing and learning. Encouraging and facilitating that growth with healthy nutrient-rich food is the foundation to raising a smart child.
What recipes have you found to add more brain-boosting nutrients into your kid’s diet? What is your child’s favorite smart food? We want to hear your experiences!
