10 Food Items That Help Your Child's Brain Develop Well

Did you know that 90% of your child’s brain development happens by the age of 6 years? ^ What can you do to aid this development? Providing proper nourishment is probably the first thing that came to your mind, and you’re right. Diet can affect cognitive ability and behaviour in children1. Foods with choline, Vitamins B and E, potassium, and zinc have beneficial effects in brain development.

Just don’t forget to consider the fact that your child’s palate is developing, and they might not like everything. You may want to introduce your child to nutritious food to reduce the possibility of rejection due to dislike in the later years.

So, Here Are Some Food Sources That Help In Brain Development:

1. Fish And Seafood

Oily cold-water fish and seafood are rich natural sources of EPA. EPA is synthesised in abundance by marine algae and found concentrated in fish and marine oils, particularly the oil compartments of cold-water fish3,4.

2. Eggs

Eggs are a well-known source of protein. However, the egg yolk is also loaded with choline, which aids memory development in growing children5,6.

3. Peanuts And Peanut Butter

Peanuts and peanut butter are good sources of vitamins E and B7,8,9. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects nervous membranes, and vitamin B (Thiamine) helps the brain and nervous system use glucose for energy10.

4. Oats

Oats are a nutritious “grain for the brain”. They are an excellent source of energy, and they also pack in a lot of Vitamin B and E, potassium, and zinc11 – all of which help your child’s body and brain function at full capacity12.

5. Beans

Beans are unique because they have energy from protein and complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and lots of vitamins and minerals. These keep a child's energy and thinking level at the peak. Kidney Beans contain more Omega 3 Fatty Acids than other beans – specifically ALA, which is essential for brain growth and function13.

6. Spinach

Spinach is packed with iron14 – an essential mineral that helps kids stay energetic and improves concentration.

7. Health Food Drinks

Healthy food drinks containing Choline and Iodine, such as Junior Horlicks#, can be included in their regular meal plans. Junior Horlicks contains nutrients like choline, iron, iodine, etc. These are known to support brain development. Also present are calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K & protein, which support physical growth and development. It also contains nutrients such as Vitamin E, A, Selenium & copper, which support healthy immune function.

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8. Milk And Milk Products

Dairy products provide your child with proteins and Vitamin B, all essential for powering the growth and functioning of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes15.

9. Berries

Berries are a potent source of antioxidants that benefits learning and memory performance as they can maintain metabolic homeostasis. 

10. Nuts

Nuts are generally a good source of Vitamin E that is useful in their cognitive development. 

A healthy and balanced diet during the formative years of your child’s brain development may go a long way in strengthening their mental and cognitive performance and capabilities in subsequent years of their life. Try and introduce the foods mentioned above into your little one’s diet in their growing up years.