3 Brain Foods for Kids
Beth Portelance, Marketing Manager
It can be hard to get kids to sit down and eat at all, but what they consume can affect their level of focus and cognitive growth. The early years are especially critical for brain development. On average, children who have a higher consumption of unhealthy snacks and sugar-loaded drinks score lower on standardized tests. Additionally, deficiencies of nutrients such as iron and iodine can hinder cognitive and motor development. Often, these effects are permanent.
Choosing the right foods can help to ensure proper mental stability and growth, and also provide the right kind of energy to maintain focus, awareness and creativity. We picked 3 brain foods that are packed with nutrients and great for an easy AND healthy diet…
Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein! They’re an easy healthy breakfast alternative and also make for an awesome afternoon snack. For breakfast you can cook them scrambled, fried, over-easy, and sunny side up. Serve as-is or spice it up by making a delicious breakfast sandwich. In the afternoon switch it up with hard boiled eggs, deviled eggs, breakfast burritos, or omelets.
2. Nuts and Seeds
When you’re on the go or looking for an extra snack in the lunchbox, nuts and seeds are an easy and healthy option. Nuts are full of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, and both nuts and seeds are perfect for a healthy nervous system. Pre-portion nuts/seed in snack bags at the beginning of the week for an easy grab-and-go option. Peanut butter is always a fan favorite, but why not get creative and use pesto or thai peanut sauce (with extra nuts added!) as a fun alternative way of getting those nutrients.
3. Apples
It is tempting to peel the skin off apples, but this is actually where a lot of the nutrients are held! They contain quercetin and antioxidants. Apples are a great alternative when your kiddo is craving something sweet. Simply wash, dry, cut, and serve. Apples are also a great base for homemade fruit salad or slice and served with peanut butter for extra protein.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Quick and easy options are your best bet for consistent healthy diets. Making sure kids eat brain food will help them focus better in school and develop cognitive skills.
At Coco Coders, we understand the importance of developing the whole brain, which is why all of our coding classes for kids are designed to stretch their creativity, collaboration and computational thinking, as well as teaching them key coding skills.