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The first step to ensuring that children live their healthiest lives and become the best versions of themselves is to provide them with the right nutrition. While proper nutrition plays a vital role in their overall development, its significance in brain development cannot be overstated. Since the first couple of years of a child’s life are marked by rapid brain development, proper nutrition in the early years is extremely crucial.

While all nutrients are important for proper brain function, studies have shown that certain foods particularly support brain development. Here are the top 10 foods known to assist in brain development. Find creative ways to incorporate them into toddler-friendly meals, and you’ll give them the gift of good health and brain development.

Pro tip: Ensure the child is not allergic to these foods before incorporating them into their diet.

10 Brain Development Foods

1. Beans

There is nothing quite like beans to offer the nutrition needed for a developing brain. Some of the nutrients that beans are rich in include:

• Zinc
• Protein
• Iron
• Choline

Some beans, such as kidney beans, are also high in Omega-3 fatty acids.

If your child isn’t fond of beans, all you need to do is to put on your creative hat. You can mash chickpeas into a burger. Alternatively, you can make a dip with it. Beans can also easily be added to salads and soups.

2. Leafy Vegetables

There can be no better source of iron and folate than those green leafy vegetables. Iron, particularly, is known to play an important role in the development of the hippocampus, which aids memory and learning. Leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and kale contain flavonoids and vitamins E and K 1. Assuming that the child isn’t fond of green vegetables, you can look at several creative ways of ensuring they become a part of their diet. Some of these include:

• Include them in making pasta sauce
• Serve them with flavorful dips and sauces
• Use cauliflower as a pizza crust
• Incorporate veggies into their favourite dish

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3. Yogurt

Now, here is one food rich in nutrients that children love. Among other things, Yogurt is a source of:

• Iodine
• Protein
• Zinc

You sure know that iodine deficiency can impact a child’s cognition. Yogurt is a good way of ensuring that the child gets the right quantity of Zinc.

Yogurt can be offered to a child in multiple ways, such as:

• By way of a fruit dip
• Smoothies
• Ice lollies and more

4. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a big one when it comes to brain development. The known benefits of peanut butter include the following:

• Is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids
• Is a good source of Vitamin E
• Helps keep diseases such as asthma at bay
• Ensures sound sleep

Go ahead and assemble a peanut butter sandwich or offer the child apples or any other fruit dipped in peanut butter. You cannot go wrong.

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5. Whole Grains

Whole grains are a big source of glucose, which the brain requires aplenty. Whole grains are also a great source of Vitamin B. So go ahead and offer whole grain cereals and whole grain bread, or put together some whole grain tortillas, and you are sorted.

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6. Oats

Oats are a great source of fiber, besides being rich in Vitamin B, vitamin E, potassium, and zinc. Offer it to the child for breakfast, and you sure will have their brains working at optimum levels. You could even drum up some oats into a smoothie. Alternatively, a pancake or a waffle made with oats will also have the child going “Yum.”

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7. Berries

Enough and more studies have shown the impact of blueberries and strawberries on improving memory. Besides, berries are also a rich source of Omega-3 fats, Vitamin C, and more.

Add berries to a yogurt or toss them into a salad and see your child enjoy it!

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8. Nuts & seeds

During snack time, nuts and seeds, rich in protein and zinc, make for a super snack. You are sure to help the child develop his long-term memory with this super snack. Pro tip- For younger children, nuts and seeds can be a choking hazard, so you need to be mindful of them. “Puff” snacks made of real peanuts (not artificially flavored) can be a good substitute.

9. Oranges

Oranges are a rich source of Vitamin C. Many people do not know that they are also rich in flavonoids that improve brain flow to the brain and thereby improve cognitive performance. Have the child eat it or add it to a fruit salad, custard, and more.

10. Cocoa

Cocoa is a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants, crucial in anti-inflammatory and brain protection functions. Adding cocoa to a child’s diet ensures an increased supply to the brain.

To Sum Up

There you go! Offer the child a balanced diet and ensure that you include these superfoods in their diet. Their brains will not be able to thank you enough!

At Footprints, a well-renowned preschool and daycare chain, due importance is placed on the child’s overall development. Nutritious meals are an important aspect of the child’s daily care. With a menu designed by a qualified nutritionist and food prepared in-house, you can rest assured that the child is in good hands. Additionally, with fruits incorporated into meals and no junk food included, the child is offered the gift of good health. With the right food habits incorporated early, we also ensure a healthy relationship with food.

Here’s to raising a healthy generation!