4 brain-boosting foods for your child

Eating the right foods can support your child’s brain development and overall health.

Whole and fresh foods with essential nutrients are believed to have nutritional benefits that can help to set your child up for success in the future. You might see improved concentration, memory and attention span among others visible benefits in your child!

In no particular order, add these 4 brain-boosting foods for your child on your grocery list now!

1. Eggs

Egg yolks contain choline, a nutrient similar to B vitamins that can help to support overall mental functioning¹. It has been shown to play a significant role in children’s brain development, affecting the parts of the brain that are involved in memory and life-long learning abilities².

While young children can eat up to six eggs a week to fuel their rapid growth³, it’s still good to ensure that it is consumed in moderation as they still do contain a significant amount of cholesterol.

2. Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt is the most protein-packed out of all the options readily available in your nearest supermarket aisle. Full-fat Greek yoghurt has the perfect balance of protein and fat, two essential nutrients to support brain cells as it receives and sends information⁴ throughout the day.

Note: Be extra careful with yoghurts marketed as “Greek-style”, though — they do not have the same benefits as Greek yoghurt! 

3. Spinach

Dark green vegetables like spinach, kale and even broccoli are packed with vitamin A. Vitamin A is vital for your little one’s bone and vision development⁵ so that they can see and process information well when they start going to school!

Excluding vitamin A, get a wide range of nutrients into your child’s diet than from just spinach with veggie-packed noodle and pasta blends!

These two other options are Halal-certified too! The fuss-free noodles flavoured with broccoli is great if your little one doesn’t have adventurous taste buds yet.

4. Salmon

Like other oily fish, salmon is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are two out of the three crucial omega-3 fatty acids crucial in supporting the growth of your child’s brain cells.

Emerging research shows that these omega-3 fatty acids may improve brain function and mood⁶ in children — particularly in the areas of learning and memory retention⁷.

Along with plenty of mental health support, a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods is the best way to feed your child’s growing mind and set them up for success before they start attending school.

Shop for everything your young child and family needs online at FairPrice now!

***

References:

¹ WebMD 2005-2021, Choline: overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews, viewed 7 April 2021
² Koo, J 2021, Essential nutrients for brain development in children: iron, choline and antioxidants, HealthXchange.sg, SingHealth, viewed 8 April 2021
³ Singapore Health 2021, Egg facts: nutritional value, cholesterol count, and more, HealthXchange.sg, SingHealth, viewed 8 April 2021
⁴ Krueger, A 2015, 7 brain foods for kids, WebMD, viewed 8 April 2021
⁵ Aswathi, S & Aswathi, A 2020, Role of vitamin A in child health and nutrition, ScienceDirect, viewed 9 April 2021
⁶ L, Rachael 2019, Should kids take omega-3 supplements?, Healthline, viewed 9 April 2021
⁷ Stonehouse, W 2014, Does consumption of LC omega-3 PUFA enhance cognitive performance in healthy school-aged children and throughout adulthood? Evidence from clinical trials, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, viewed 10 April 2021

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