Healthy Eating for Kids: Brain FoodTo be very truthful, all food is brain food in the sense that it helps the brain function properly. The foods found in the pyramid can all be considered brain food because they all do their parts in enhancing the parts of the brain that communicate with the body, and help it function and be alert. The parts of the brain that are helped are the brain cells and the neurotransmitters, which are responsible for sending messages to various parts of the body. We won't go into too much detail about this. While all foods help the brain, there are some foods that are recommended for increased brain development and functioning, and are thus called brain foods. Here is a list of some those foods as they correspond to their food pyramid sections:
You will notice that protein is the popular food of choice for the brain. Just make sure that your protein servings are not too fat filled, and try to choose nuts, beans, and soy products as much as you can. Remember to keep these in their recommended daily servings according to the food pyramid, don't allow your children to overeat in an attempt to feed their brains extra food. You may have also noticed that no fruit was listed as a brain food. This doesn't mean that fruit doesn't do its part in helping brain functioning. All the nutrients you get from all your foods contribute to brain function and development, so don't start thinking that fruit is not important! An often overlooked brain beverage is water. Water is the body's great cleanser and it also acts as a means of transport for many nutrients. The more water you drink, the more efficiently your body can deliver food to all your cells, and the cleaner you will be. Water also keeps the brain well hydrated, which it needs to function fast and properly. Keep your children well hydrated by encouraging them to drink water and providing them with a water jug or thermos for when they go to school. Children get thirstier more than they realize, and providing them with water will help solve the problem. Finally, help your child's brain by getting them enough rest each day. It was mentioned in other articles that most children need around ten hours of sleep per day, teens need around nine, and you as an adult will need about eight. Getting enough rest gives your brain time to “reboot” so to speak. Sleep time is also the time that your body best controls its breathing, and its the best time for your body to keep its oxygen at proper levels. This will also help your child's brain cells, and keep them developing well, and at its best state. Next Article: Kids Food Pyramid: What You Should Have in Your Kitchen |
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How To Get Your Kids To Eat Healthy Food - Without A Fight!
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