Diet has a profound impact on our ability to concentrate and retain information. For children, consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet that’s rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can help with brain function and performance at school. In this post we explore the role food plays and share guidance from an independent girls’ school in Hertfordshire on foods to incorporate into their diet and those to avoid.
Breakfast Foods
Food of course as we all know provides the body energy, so is essential for children to have before going to school. It’s vital that the breakfast foods they have however are nutritious, filling and aren’t high in sugar as this can have an adverse effect on their concentration throughout the day. While sugary foods provide an instant dose of energy, they are followed by a “crash” when those sugar levels come down.
This can make children feel even more tired, lethargic, and therefore are to be avoided for breakfast. What can help maintain energy is fibre and protein. For this, consider foods like oats and Weetabix that can be paired with milk.
Why Drinking Water Is Vital
According to statistics around 60% of the human body is made up of water. It is essential for bodily function, including how the brain works. Brain cells use water to communicate with one another, draw nutrients and remove toxins that harm its function. Going back to energy, it keeps children feeling energised, full, prevents dehydration which can affect a child’s ability to concentrate and their mood.
Brain Boosting Superfoods
Foods such as berries also have the potential to enhance mental performance and can have a positive effect on a child’s education. Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries contain flavonoid compounds called anthocyanins which increase blood flow to the brain and improve learning and memory processes. Citrus fruits have a similar effect and ward off mental decline.
Nature’s Multi-Vitamin
Eggs are nature’s multi-vitamin. They are abundant in the nutrients needed for brain function such as vitamin B12, choline, and selenium.
How to Include Them in Your Child’s Diet
These are just a few ways that a child’s diet can affect their education. Of course, if you have a picky eater on your hands, this will be a little more challenging, but is quite achievable by manipulating flavours and hiding ingredients that they don’t like by blending them into a fine paste or adding them in smaller doses.
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