Boosting Your Child's Brain Power
By Donna Stark
We spend a lot of time talking about the effects that our diet has on heart health, digestive health, and brain health as we age, but did you know that your child's diet has just as much impact on them as well? School is going to be out in just a few short months, and it is usually during this time of year that many students start to lose focus. With their attention spans becoming smaller and smaller as summertime comes closer and closer, they need our help! So let's head into this last stretch of the school's academic calendar by adding some brain-boosting foods to their diets!
Brain Power for the End of School
It's never too late to bring some brain power to class, and it is super easy to help your kids maintain their concentration and focus through the very last day of school! All you have to do is add some new items to your grocery list. Check out this list of kid-friendly, brain-boosting foods that are sure to help your child get the most out of what is left in their school year. Take a look.
- Blueberries - Blueberries are the go-to fruit for brain health. Full of antioxidants, they are known to enhance short term memory and focus. You can add blueberries to your child's morning cereal, oatmeal, or smoothie and you can offer some natural sweetness by packing them in their lunch.
- Flax Seed - Flax seeds are great for mental clarity and focus, but I know that it may be tricky to get your child to eat them. Fortunately, they are easy to hide when blended in smoothies, pancakes, and muffins.
- Water - Staying perfectly hydrated is vital when it comes to brain health, so send some extra water to school with your child. Dehydration can lead to a lack of focus, short attention-spans, and impaired memory.
- Eggs - Eggs are an easy way to improve your child's mental performance because they contain choline, a nutrient associated with better cognitive function. Just start the morning off with some for breakfast or pack a hard-boiled egg for lunch.
- Avocados - On top of being packed with fiber, which can help your child feel fuller for longer, avocados also increase blood flow to the brain and help to improve memory and concentration. Consider making some avocado toast with your child's eggs in the morning or pack some guacamole for lunch.
Finish the School Year With a Bang!
The end of school is right around the corner, and adding certain brain-boosting foods to your child's diet is the easiest way to get them across that finish line with amazing clarity and focus. And although I can't guarantee that your child will thank you, I am sure the teacher will!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Colo.