It can be difficult to encourage kids to study hard.  If you have children who don’t want to do school homework, and you want them to be more alert, the good news is that you can help your children’s brain reach its optimum development.  Feeding them the right types of food is essential.  Helping to keep your children alert, happy and healthy is your job as a parent.  Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on healthy food ideas for kids.  

Below are 12 healthy food ideas for kids that will help children enhance their memory:

1.      Dark Chocolate

–          Apart from being a delicious treat, dark chocolate also contains flavonols.  An element that can make it easier for blood to circulate in the brain. This results in boosting memory and overall functioning of the brain. A study has also found that those who eat 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate a day felt calmer than those who didn’t. Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies with your kids is a perfect bonding experience, and the cookies contain the perfect ingredient.

2.      Berries

–          Berries are rich in anti-oxidants. Blackberries, blueberries and strawberries have all been shown to boost the ability to learn, memorize and think. So make sure to add them to your child’s breakfast cereals, oatmeals, and smoothie drinks.

3.      Coconut Oil

–          Since our brain is made of 60 percent fat, we need saturated fat to feed our brain cells to avoid depression and dementia. A good source of saturated fat is coconut oil which we can use as an alternative to butter for baking or sautéing food for our kids.

4.      Beet Juice

–          For those who are looking for an alternative snack to prepare for their kids during school break, one great suggestion is to serve the snacks with beet juice, a source of natural nitrates. A study has found that people performed better on cognitive exams minutes after drinking beet juice.

5.      Lean Meat

–          Lean meat or foods high in protein are another good food choice for kids.  Children who eat these foods has been shown to improve their overall cognitive performance of the brain. You can prepare this delicious Crockpot Meatball Recipe to beef up your kids’ brain!

6.      Eggs

–          Eggs have always been a favorite breakfast food for their capacity to make our stomach feel full. They are also a good source of choline, a building block for the part of our brain in charge of making memory function well. So make eggs a part of your child’s daily diet.

7.       Whole Wheat Muffins

–          A small amount of carbohydrates can fuel the brain’s ability to concentrate. So before studying for an exam or to do better in class, encourage your child to eat whole-wheat muffins or bread. Serve it with a small amount of peanut butter and a glass of orange juice for a complete brain-boosting meal.

8.      Fish

–          Children’s brains also get a boost from eating fish which contain omega-3’s. Try to incorporate fishes like salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, herring and other types of cold-water fish in their meals. Salmon, in particular also has vitamins B and selenium that also aid the brain.

9.      Spinach and Broccoli

–          We know that children are wary of eating greens, but spinach and broccoli are the kinds of leafy greens that contain B-6 and B-12 which play a vital role in maintaining the nervous system which result in improved memory and alertness. So give your kid a healthy dose of these greens to add as a side for dinner or as a mixed salad.

10.  Celery

–          Celery is a fun crunchy snack, I’m sure the kids won’t mind eating. It is a good source of luteolin, which decrease age-related memory loss, aids in reducing inflammation in the brain and helps fight degeneration. Celery is good to mix in chicken or macaroni salad, soups, and even fruit shakes.  Children also love peanut butter on celery or dipping it in Ranch Dressing. 

11. Sage

–          The next time you prepare a tasty dish, make sure that you season it with sage. Sage contains compounds that help in maintaining acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known for aiding in learning and memory.  Sage is best paired with lean beef, poultry, lentil as well as legume-based dishes.

12.  Turmeric

–         Healthy food idea for kids can include spices to season your dishes.  Turmeric is a great season.  This popular yellow spice often included in Indian and Caribbean cuisine has been found to improve short-term memory.  Additionally, it is aid in problem-solving and reasoning skills. So prep your child for that algebra or literature exam by serving food seasoned with turmeric.  Try adding it to grilled chicken, beans, lentils or roasted veggies. 

These are just some healthy food ideas for kids that can enhance brainpower and memory function of your kids.  These memory boosters for children will help them stay alert and become more receptive to both school and homework.

Sources:

https://www.developinghumanbrain.org/delicious-and-healthy-brain-food-recipes/

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower

http://lbilearn.linnbenton.edu/10-delicious-brain-foods-everyone-eat/

http://www.anthem.edu/articles/top-6-brain-boosting-foods-for-studying/

Karlisa Costello regularly writes about parenting and educational articles for SmileTutor, a leading home tutor agency.