As the proud lunch-packing parent in my family's house, I have two goals: to pack food that nourishes my son's body and mind and to make food that he’ll be excited about eating (instead of pining after his friends’ icing-covered cookies and bringing home uneaten the food I so lovingly prepared). Luckily for this busy mom it’s possible to do both.
When it comes to boosting brain power, there are some foods and nutrients that science shows have an edge for keeping kids sharp and fueled for the day. I make sure I’ve got my bases covered by packing some of these brain-boosting foods every day, using the healthy kids recipe ideas below. Happy packing!
Must-Read: 9 Simple Tricks to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthier
Omega-3-Rich Foods—DHA and EPA, two types of omega-3 fatty acids, are important for brain development and are associated with lower risk of depression and better mood, the expression of emotion and concentration, says Rachael Moeller Gorman in EatingWell Magazine. Omega-3 fatty acids are found mainly in fatty fish like salmon, though they can be made by the body in small amounts from ALA, another type of omega-3 that’s found in plants like flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil and soy. A variety of food, including soymilks and breakfast bars, are now fortified with DHA. Supplements of DHA/EPA made from algae are available. A good target for kids who eat about 1,000 calories/day is 400-500 mg/day of omega-3s, says Joe Hibbeln, M.D. Acting Chief, Section on Nutritional Neuroscience at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Here are some lunch-box friendly sources of omega-3 fats (I like to sometimes pack salmon salad instead of tuna salad for variety. You can find canned wild salmon next to other canned fish in the supermarket.) More...Shine from yahoo
TRY( PURPLE CHAMPS) great for kids and adults with OMEGA 3'S
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