Brain Food to Keep Your Kid Alert!

Does your child feel sluggish after a full night’s rest?

Is she sleepy in school?

Does he have trouble keeping up with schoolwork and after-school activities?

We like to see our child alert and lively, quick to learn and act, animated and full of life. So, when we see signs of slowing down, we want to ensure that we do everything to enhance their liveliness and alertness.

The key to boosting our child’s alertness lies in the food they consume.

We need to ensure that our pantry is stocked with nutritious food choices that keep them alert through a long day at school.

What foods can boost our child’s alertness?

For starters, we need to ensure that our child eats a balanced diet – with three meals and two snacks a day and drinking enough water to keep him hydrated.

At each meal, we must make sure to include a variety of foods from each food group: Grain, Fruits and Vegetables, Dairy and Protein. But there are certain foods that can be especially beneficial to increase brain development and function:

1. Oatmeal for a well-fed brain

Nutritious oats are ‘grain for the brain’. Packed with fiber, they are ideal to give our kids a healthy start in the morning. Oats also have Vitamin E & B, potassium – which makes the brain and body work at full capacity.

2. Nuts and seeds for sharpness

Walnuts, almonds, sunflowers & pumpkin seeds are all great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which the brain needs to function optimally.

3. Berries to stay focused

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and other berries are high in antioxidants. These berries contribute to maintaining a healthy and strong immune system.

4. Milk and yoghurt to learn better

Giving our kids calcium-rich food in the morning not only strengthens their bones but also enhances their ability to learn. They contain essential nutrients such as Vitamin B2, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, allowing our kids to perform better at school. Fortified milk and dairy options add even greater nutritional values - key for our kids learning journey.

5. Eggs for memory

Eggs contain choline, which enhances memory and brain power. The protein in eggs is a high-quality protein consisting of essential amino acids required for our kids’ optimal growth and development.

While these foods help our children stay sharper through the day, we must also ensure that we avoid food that’s high in refined sugar such as sugary cereals, packaged fruit juices etc. If we want them to excel in school, we need to give them good quality fuel which is found in a balanced diet.