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Meals That Boosts Kids Mental Health

smoothie-bowl

Credit: Cheenikum Clinic

Meals are essential and they are like fuel for growing kids, especially for their brains. Their brains are rapidly growing and changing, therefore, the food they consume is very important. According to psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, co-author of The Happiness Diet and Fifty Shades of Kale, these years are critical for brain development, and what they eat affects their focus and cognitive skills. The brain is the first organ to absorb the nutrients we eat. Here are some brain foods and how to prepare meals for your children:

1. Greens

Credit: Cheenikum Clinic

Broccoli, spinach and kale are superfoods for the brain. Spinach, broccoli and kale are packed with antioxidant. Broccoli is also very high in vitamin K, it also serves an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, which helps the brain against damage.

Kids usually don’t like eating greens so here are some serving methods that you can try:

2. Salmon

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Salmon has fats that have an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. Whenever people talk about brain food, salmon is one of the top food that comes across our minds. Besides salmon, trouts and tuna are also considered as fatty fish.

Here’s how to prepare salmon:

3. Berries

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Berries are packed with high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help prevent cancer. The seeds from berries are also a good source of omega-3 fats.

How to serve berries as mini meals:

4. Yoghurt

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Yoghurt, especially Greek yoghurt, is rich in fats and protein, and it also helps keep brain cells in good form for sending and receiving information.

How to serve it:

All in all, there are many other foods that are good for your child’s brain development, but the above are top brain foods. You can help your little one to support their brain development by adding these foods in their meal.

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