Kids / 10 May, 2021 / My Baba
Learning how food can affect the brain will help you make conscious and more deliberate choices about how you feed a child’s brain.
So, fish is always number one on my list and critical for brain development. Why, you may ask? Because one of the singularly most important omega-3 fats present in the brain is docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, which can be obtained by eating fish and seafood.
DHA is vital for communication throughout the brain and, this brain- essential nutrient helps speed up cell signalling, resulting in faster communication across our brain networks. Without adequate daily intakes of DHA the chemical messaging process has been described as less efficient and slower.
When we eat a portion of oily fish, such as Wild Alaskan salmon, not only do we receive plenty of omega-3’s but also an abundance of vitamins and minerals which help ensure they are absorbed. Omega-3’s are bioactive compounds essential for neurodevelopment, brain structure and function. They are also key for the production of the pleasure hormone – dopamine needed to regulate mood and motivation. Clinical trial data has reported that lower levels of omega-3 are linked to poorer scores in cognitive tests, sleep disturbances, ADHD-related behaviour and mood disorders including depression. Research by the University of Oxford found that a sample of UK schoolchildren had a mean (average) omega-3 index of just 2.4% falling in the sup-optimal category.
The best way to check if you have adequate and recommended intakes of omega-3 is a simple finger prick test. When you know your omega-3 index you can make adjustments to improve your score and brain health! If you would like an omega-3 index test for your family, do reach out to me via my nutritious_minds Instagram page and I can provide further information as well as a discount code.
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Sweet potatoes provide 400% of our daily intake of Vitamin A and also contain more Vitamin C; have fewer calories, more fiber and fewer carbs. In fact, they are a complex carbohydrate that can help stabilise blood sugar levels and keep kids full for longer. Sweet potatoes contain a wide range of vitamins (A, B & C) minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese) and antioxidants. Collectively these are thought to have health benefits for vision; immune system function; blood cells, blood pressure, metabolism, nerves and bone health.
Page 241 of my book has a delicious, child-friendly recipe that you can try at home and which incorporates both fish and sweet potato: homemade fish burgers with shoestring sweet potato fries, portobello mushroom and carrot slaw.
Bone broths are very nourishing and commonly recommended to treat leaky gut syndrome which is a condition often observed in children & adults with Autism, ADHD and other learning or behaviour differences. Leaky gut syndrome is also associated with symptoms of fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, nutritional insufficiencies and bloating. Essentially this condition is thought to impair the guts ability to absorb nutrients which then can impact the ability to make feel-good chemicals such as serotonin which are critical for behaviour and mood. You can read all about gut health and how it impacts children’s behaviour and mood on page 51 of my new book.
Bone broth is immune-boosting and can help overcome food intolerances and allergies as well as help with joint pain. It is rich in glutamine, glycine, collagen and proline and the mineral content helps the body to absorb calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It makes a nourishing warm drink and can also be used as a stock for soups or casseroles. The organic bones of the broth contain collagen which is a protein containing amino acids that is thought to help rebuild connective tissue, seal and help heal the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract to help the absorption of nutrients from the diet.
• 1 whole free-range, organic chicken or organic beef joint
• 3-4 carrots
• 2 celery sticks
• 1 large onion (red or white)
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• Apple cider vinegar (2-3 tablespoons)
• Cayenne pepper and a medium chilli (for parents if you like some spice)
• Chopped parsley can be added to serve (optional)
1. Place the bones into a deep pot, add the vegetables and 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar.
2. Fill the soup pot with water about 2 inches from the top and cook on a low heat for about 24 hours. You can also cook this in a slow cooker overnight until the meat falls off the bone.
3. Please note that the fat rises to the top and it is your preference to scoop it off but there are health benefits in the fat so do make sure to leave a little.
As parents, we are guilty of rewarding children with a plethora of sweet treats. But bribing kids to behave with candy, crisps and other confectionary is potentially setting them up for problematic eating later in life, junk food and sugar addictions and much more. It hampers their learning ability and plays havoc with their mood and cognitive function.
WHY? Because it creates spikes and troughs in blood sugars levels – causing first an almighty high when it hits the brain’s pleasure centres and then a crashing low leaving a child cranky, restless and unable to concentrate. The world expert on sugar and its effects is Professor Robert Lustig, and he has described sugar “as the alcohol of the child”. You can head over to YouTube to find out more about his pioneering work here.
Why not try blueberries or strawberries dipped in dark chocolate instead? Berries are rich in antioxidants – health-promoting compounds found naturally in certain foods which prevent a process called oxidation. Oxidation is a series of chemical reactions caused by free-radicals and toxins entering our body from pollutants that damage and even destroy our DNA and other cells in our body and brain. Over time, exposure to free-radicals can lead to inflammation, accelerated ageing, and are linked to the premature development of disease.
Dark chocolate also contains phytonutrients called flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that act as antioxidants and may play a protective role against the development of diseases. Several studies have found that dark chocolate enhances cognitive functioning as well as activates the pleasure and reward system in our brains which in turn decreases stress and improves mood. Try switching milk chocolate, which is often high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, thickening agents, excess calories, milk solids and artificial flavours and let dark chocolate and berries satisfy your sweet cravings with the added benefit of nutrients and fiber. There are many more child-friendly, naturally sweet treat options in the recipe section of Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health.
Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are naturally juicy and sweet. Blueberries are especially nutrient-loaded, low in calories with 1 cup (approximately 148 g) providing: 3.6 grams of fiber, 3.6 grams of Vitamin C, as well as Vitamin K and Manganese. Blueberries are also rich in antioxidant polyphenols called anthocyanins which have a range of health-promoting benefits.
Raspberries also contain antioxidant polyphenols called ellagitannins, which can help reduce oxidative stress. Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C, contain manganese, folate (vitamin B9) and potassium. Collectively berries are considered heart-healthy, are linked to mental alertness, may help prevent diabetes and lower high blood pressure as well as improve skin.
The scientific field of psychobiotics is concerned with the Gut-Brain connection and in particular associative links between food and mood. Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the function and management of the central nervous system, neuroendocrine system and neuroimmune system. Following the discovery of the Vagus nerve, scientists found that neurotransmitters such as serotonin (our happy hormone) are made in the gut and transported directly to the brain. Therefore, our gut health is integral to brain health and critically our well-being.
Excess intake of junk, refined, processed foods as well as elevated intake of antibiotics can cause disturbances to gut health-promoting the overgrowth of unhealthy gut microbiome. Brain development is associated with early gut development shaping what is commonly known to as “the gut-brain axis. There are several factors that can contribute to the growth of unhealthy gut microbiota such as premature birth, low birth weight, C section delivery, high antibiotic use, exposure to pesticides and air pollution. GI problems and unhealthy gut microbiota can result in unhealthy food cravings to sugar and salt-rich foods and refined carbohydrates. Consider supplementing your child with pre- and probiotics to maintain a healthy gut.
Probiotics are live bacteria often present in fermented foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha as well as in powdered or capsule form from health food stores. Prebiotics are a unique form of dietary fibre which act as a fertiliser to nourish the healthy bacteria living in your intestines. Rich sources of prebiotics include green leafy vegetables, apples, leeks, flaxseed & citrus fruit. Several studies have reported improved gut health following the elimination of gluten and cow’s milk switching instead to plant-based alternatives such as flax, almond or coconut.
Soluble fiber is key for gut health. High fiber foods are naturally rich in prebiotics and contain inulin – a plant-based key source of fiber (e.g., Fennel root, beans (limas), onions, leeks, garlic, bananas, beets, broccoli, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes). Prebiotics are quite simply food for the gut!
Juicing is a great way to start your day and boost your brain. Here are some of my favourite fruit and vegetable combinations, do be experimental to find out what works for you. Start by selecting your favourite fruit and veggies using a 60% vegetable to 40% fruit ratio and give it a go!
Here are some examples for you to consider.
Simply chop up and then place your preferred combination into a NutriBullet and blend! Add 1-2 cups of filtered or mineral water.
My new book: Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health teaches parents how to feed their children critical nutrients which are supportive of their cognitive function, can help improve mood and keep their concentration, attention and focus collectively in check! It also teaches parents which foods to include, in other words, those that help versus those which can hinder.
The back of the book contains a wealth of recipes for all the family with awesome contributions from Tom Kerridge and Rick Stein, as well as a sizeable child-friendly section.
Article by Dr. Rachel V. Gow, Nutritional Neuroscientist, Registered Nutritionist, Child Neuropsychologist and Author of: Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Heath
If you are interested in the role of nutrition in brain health you can order Dr. Rachel V. Gow’s new book here.
Her social media links also contain a wealth of information, research and support for parents, professionals and individuals alike:
www.drrachelvgow.com
www.nutritiousminds.org
www.nutritiousmindsconsulting.com
Instagram: @nutritious_minds
Facebook.com/DrRachelVGow
Twitter: @drrachelvgow
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Introduce a whole new world of fun to their playtime with this incredible personalised wooden doll’s house gift set. Complete with furniture to decorate the living room, kitchen, bedroom, nursery and bathroom, and an adorable wooden family, this set is truly the ultimate doll’s house for little storytellers.
Make this charming doll’s house gift set all theirs by adding a sweet plaque to the front with their name on it.
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