Remember food for the brain
To maximise your child's performance at school, it is important to consider food for the brain. Some basic tips to help your children are:
- Avoid foods with additives or added sugar. Sugar creates imbalances in energy that can contribute to erratic behavior, hyperactivity and mood changes.
- Increase fruit, vegetables and foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Try to present them in a way that's easy to eat, puree them into soups, casseroles or chop into small pieces in a stir-fry. For example the mineral calcium (which is present in dairy products, eggs, canned sardines, legumes, nuts, dried fruit, whole grains, tofu and leafy green vegetables) is important for bone and tooth formation, nerve messages, muscle growth and contraction. Magnesium on the other hand, another very important mineral is a big friend to calcium (which is also present in green vegetables, nuts and whole grains) as it helps us to absorb the calcium we eat and relax our muscles. They're a team.
- Increase their levels of essential fats. Don't buy any food for your children that contains "Hydrogenated Fats". Your child's brain and nervous system needs a good supply of essential fats called omega 6 and omega 3 to function and develop effectively. To ensure your child gets enough of these fats give them Salmon, mackerel, tuna 2- 3 times a week and a daily heaped tablespoon of freshly-ground seeds sneaked into their casserole or soup.
While my preference is to eat freshly prepared food there are times when mums need to choose a ready prepared meal. Choose ready meals that have no added sugar, salt, artificial colours flavours or preservatives. A good example of such products is Bia Kid meals.
Margaret Joyce
Nutritional Therapist
Dip IINH N Th MBANT