Brain Food Influences Learning and Behavior
We all know nutrition improves children’s physical health but there is more evidence that poor nutrition is linked with mental health and can lead to behavior problems.
It has been an ongoing debate because some disorders are genetic but diet influences brain development and behavior as well. I know because I have seen my kids become basket cases when it’s close to suppertime. It was more apparent when they were younger but what we feed them is also important.
Good Fats/Bad Fats
Fast fried food has become so common that many just continue out of habit not thinking about the long-term harm such a diet can cause. The fats found in processed foods such as trans fats are bad for you. Many children have a lot of junk in their diets that can lead to a deficiency of the essential good fats they need for brain development.
- Over 100 children participated in a study led by Dr.Richardson at
Oxford University . Half were given omega 3 supplements while the other half were given placebos. The children receiving the omega 3 advanced much further in reading and spelling compared to the other group who progressed normally. (See Junk Food Diet Makes Children Badly Behaved & Junk Food Diet’s Damaged Brains of 200,000 Kids for more)
Omega 3 is an essential oil that is needed for brain development but it’s also good for your heart and helps improve memories and moods. It is important for pregnant women to obtain enough omega 3 in their diets in order for their babies to develop properly as well.
Brain Foods Rich in Omega 3
You can find omega 3 in fatty fish such as tuna and mackerel but it can also be obtained through green leafy vegetables (broccoli, lettuce, cabbage), seeds and nuts (cashews, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds).
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