13 Foods To Boost Your Kids’ Concentration
When children start attending school, the ability to concentrate is one of the fundamental skills in the learning process. Hence, the importance of food consumption to increase the concentration of our children.
Concentration is the mental function through which all attention is focused on an activity. In concentration, mind and body converge, yielding benefits to both. That’s why it is so important both for the child who studies and faces a test, as for those who train and participate in a sports competition.
It has been proven that good nutrition enhances concentration. First, because it provides the balance the body needs to get the mind to focus, and second, because it feeds the brain with the fuel neurons need to work efficiently.
Fats: the best fuel
Including foods to increase concentration in your children’s diet will enhance their cognitive processes and creativity. However, the parent’s dilemma is often that healthy foods are not always the ones the little ones like best.
As children grow, they experience different stages of acceptance and rejection of food. If they don’t accept a certain food one day, it’s good to offer it again. As we introduce them to creative recipes, they will learn and appreciate the benefits of eating healthier options.
The best foods to increase your children’s concentration
1. Avocado
Rich in monounsaturated fats, it improves communication between neurons and enhances memory. Fundamental for the testing season!
delicious tip
Fill a whole-grain bread with a spread made with avocado, shredded chicken (roasted or boiled), finely chopped celery and mayonnaise (if it’s olive oil, much better).
2. Salmon, sardines and anchovies
The high concentrations of omega 3, omega 6 and phosphorus that fish offer make it an ideal food to boost brain functions.
delicious tip
You can vary the avocado paste to fill breads, changing the chicken to salmon (roasted) or preparing delicious croquettes.
3. Salon
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of celery come from luteolin, a compound that promotes learning and memory.
delicious tip
Prepare a salad with finely chopped chicken, apple and parsley cubes. Season it with plain yogurt, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.
4. Blueberries
Its load of antioxidants and anthocyanins protects against neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, among others. Furthermore, they improve learning, thinking and memory.
delicious tip
Prepare a blueberry and blueberry smoothie. Strain and sweeten to taste, preferably with honey. Remember that sugar does not promote concentration.
5. Broccoli
Its high content of choline (a B vitamin) not only favors the development of the baby’s brain in utero, but also prevents the deterioration of cognitive function.
delicious tip
Steam the broccoli for 4 minutes. Mix finely chopped flowers with noodles, cooked lentils and crushed walnuts. Season with garlic and turmeric.
6. Chicken Bone Broth
Because it heals the intestine, it reduces the number of bacteria and foods that pass through the bloodstream and inflame brain cells.
delicious tip
To make chicken bone broth, boil the bones for 12 to 24 hours over low heat. Add carrots, celery and two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water. Ten minutes before hanging up, add parsley. Strain and go, it has a nutrient-rich base for any soup.
7. Extra virgin olive oil
Whenever extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed, it will be a delicious source of antioxidants to protect memory and promote learning.
delicious tip
Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil cannot be subjected to high temperatures as it degrades. Add it raw to salads, mayonnaise or pasta.
8. Coconut oil
It is the best source of medium-chain triglycerides for neurons. Reduces inflammation and prevents memory loss.
delicious tip
Add a handful of crushed walnuts, a quarter cup of raisins, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of coconut oil to a cup of cooked brown rice.
9. Turmeric
The curcumin present in this tuber is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that stimulates the production of new brain cells, ie neurogenesis.
delicious tip
Turmeric is what gives the curry its yellow color. You can make delicious mayonnaise with turmeric. You can also add it to scrambled eggs to give it its own particular flavor.
10. Rosemary
The carnosic acid in this herb protects the brain from neurodegenerative damage that free radicals produce.
delicious tip
Season meat or chicken with finely chopped rosemary leaves. Rosemary also makes an excellent combination with tomato sauces.
11. Egg yolks
In addition to being another extraordinary source of choline, egg yolks contain phospholipids, which are vital for neuronal transmissions.
delicious tip
Add chili, onion and turmeric sautéed in cooked noodles. Then add the boiled and crushed egg yolks. To serve, add a little coconut oil or olive oil.
12. Beetroot
It has a high percentage of natural antioxidants and nitrates that increase blood supply to the brain and improve performance.
delicious tip
Beat some beets and carrots with orange juice, strain and add this juice to breakfast.
13. Nuts
Its rich proportion of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants make nuts a luxury food for neuronal functioning.
delicious tip
Prepare a portion of cream cheese or ricotta. Add celery and finely chopped walnuts. Season with honey, salt and pepper to taste and finally spread this cream over biscuits at snack time.