We’re all about fuelling children with the best nourishment for busy days of play, learning and development. Food plays an integral role in the development of your little one’s brain. Like the body the brain absorbs nutrients from the food we eat. In this article, we run through our favourite brain foods for kids!
Here are our favourite foods to help fuel your little ones:
Avocados
Bursting with nutrients and melt in the mouth, these green gems are perfect for babies and children. They’re rich in monounsaturated fat (the ‘good type’ of fat) as well as vitamin E which boosts baby’s immune system.
Blueberries
They are jam packed with vitamin C & can help you fight off colds, so it’s an essential ingredient for your child throughout the year.
Eggs
Contain Choline an important vitamin that is vital for the creation of memory cells within the brain. Eggs are also high in protein and contain iron, folate and vitamin A – all of which are important for growth, repair and development of cells.
Salmon
Fish in your baby and child’s diet is so important; healthy omega-3 fats contained in oily fish encourage growth as well as the development of their brain, nervous system and vision.
Oats
Oats take a long time to digest, so the sugars they contain are released more slowly. Try porridge for breakfast (whole oats are better than instant) or spread an oatcake with cream cheese or peanut butter for a satisfying snack.
Carrots
Carrots pack a powerful crunch. High in antioxidants; these easy to prepare orange vegetables are stuffed full of vitamin A and other nutrients to help with your baby and child’s vision and skin.
Broccoli
Broccoli is top of the league when it comes to its antioxidant properties. It has one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C, making it a great food for fighting infection. Broccoli is also a great source of calcium and vitamin K, crucial for bone health.
Tomatoes
These glossy red fruits are fit to burst full of vitamins and minerals such as A, C and E. Its secret weapon is the antioxidant lycopene, you and your baby will benefit from this more if you cook tomatoes in fat, either olive oil or butter.
Nuts & Seeds
Packed with protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, nuts & seeds keeps your nervous system in check
For more on essential critical nutrients see our article all about Iron.