Two Easy Foods that will will boost your childs’ brain power
I’ve seen so many online Ads that say boost this and boost that; I normally just skip over them thinking “another Fad coming up”. Fruit and vegetables have been around for centuries and as a mother, father or guardian of a small child you obviously know that some foods are good such as Fruit, Fish and Veg and some are bad such as fries, burgers and sugary drinks https://www.healthline.com › nutrition › 20-foods-to-avoid-like-the-plague.
Today, I’m going to focus on just two foods that are so easy to put on the table or even as picnic sandwich, that are scientifically proven to boost cognitive performance in children.
Whole Grains
Broccoli
Whole grains
Eating whole grains is a way to benefit from the effects of vitamin E, with these grains being a good source of the vitamin. A 2014 review found that vitamin E can also contribute to improved cognition.
Whole-grain foods include:
brown rice
barley
bulgur wheat
oatmeal
whole-grain bread
whole-grain pasta
But be aware: Just because the bread may be brown looking it may not be whole grain. So how can you tell if a food is whole grain? Check the ingredients label. It should say “100% whole wheat or 100% whole grain”. Enriched flour doesn’t mean its whole grain. Naturally occurring brown rice, wild rice or oatmeal is whole grain
Broccoli
As well as being a low-calorie source of dietary fiber, broccoli may be good for the brain.
Broccoli contains vitamin C and flavonoids, and these antioxidants can further boost a person's brain health.
Other cruciferous vegetables that contain glucosinolates include:
brussels sprouts
bok choy
cabbage
cauliflower
turnips
Jean, the editor of “Jen Reviews has just published an updated comprehensive guide with a complete list of cruciferous vegetables on their sister site, “Happy DIY Home”. It’s really worth a read: https://happydiyhome.com/cruciferous-vegetables-list/
At Lake Mary Childcare we even put healthy foods in out dramatic play areas.
Our one year class dramatic play area with healthy foods
How to encourage your child to eat these foods
As a child I hated “brown bread”. It tasted weird. Broccoli….YUK. But at Lake Mary Childcare we serve it as part of our Florida health Department approved menu. Teachers sit with the children at the table and have the same plate that the children have. Discussions about the bread and the broccoli involve explaining the goodness of them, followed by the teacher eating her whole grain bread and broccoli, with the chicken tenders. This does in fact encourage the children to follow suit. It may take a few sittings but I can vouch that most of the children in Lake Mary Childcare do eat whole grain bread and broccoli. Don’t ever force your child to eat anything but continual serving up these foods coupled with family dining together is the key.
So sit with your child while eating as a family and discuss the goodness of the food.
Maybe This class student ate their Broccoli :)
