A nutrient-dense diet has many wonderful health benefits. It contributes to good overall health, brain functioning and mental well-being. This is particularly important for children as childhood is the most important stage for learning and development. Foods that they consume can also affect their performance. They provide fuel for the body, affect concentration and their ability to retain information. Below is some information from a boarding college in Wales on the effect diet can have on a child’s education. 

Water

Let’s start with the most basic ingredient we all need in our diets. Water. Approximately 60% of the human body is made up of water, so it’s no wonder that the body needs it to run optimally. The brain requires water to function as it helps brain cells communicate with each other, carries nutrients to the brain and removes toxins that impair its function. Also having it throughout the day can help children feel full and energised.

Fruits

Moving on to the tasty stuff, citrus fruits and berries contain compounds that promote learning and memory. 

Nuts

Nuts also carry essential nutrients for brain health. They are great sources of healthy fat, protein, and fibre which can help with energy and can improve the brain’s verbal information processing and reaction time. 

Eggs 

Eggs are nature’s multivitamin. They are rich in vitamin B12, choline, lutein and selenium that are needed for memory, cognition, neurological health, and visual and mental function.

Avocadoes

Avocados can be eaten in many ways and can easily be added into a child’s diet. Consuming them can lead to a positive effect on vision and brain function.

While the foods mentioned offer phenomenal benefits for brain health, the tricky part for many parents is in getting children to actually consume a healthy diet.  However, it is not impossible. With a little creativity in the kitchen, it is possible to disguise flavours and textures fussy eaters avoid. 

This is a collaborative post.