Brain Healthy Organic Foods For Improved Learning

By Ina Woolcott

By supplying your children with brain-smart foods, a good multi vitamin and brain healthy supplements, you can help them to excel when learning. When the brain is provided with substances that are necessary for proper nourishment, this will maximise a child's likelihood of success by increasing concentration, improving behaviour (if unruly or when suffering with an attention deficit disorder) and keeping them far healthier.

Breakfast is important. Studies have found that a solid breakfast is an important factor in boosting success in schooling, whether attending a public school or when receiving a home education. Children who take standard tests generally get higher results, behave better and are less hyperactive than kids who don't have breakfast.

Sugary cereals or anything sugary in general, such as jam on toast or chocolate spread will make your child hungry and tired mid morning. Protein based breakfasts are a far better alternative to highly refined carbohydrates. An example of a protein breakfast:

=> Organic, GM free foods are highly recommended.
=> Wholegrain toast, eggs, some fruit and perhaps some freshly squeezed or carton orange juice without added sugar (or sweeteners), the 100% fruit kind and if possible NOT from concentrate. The low-starch wholemeal bread and fruit and the protein in the egg will aid the physical needs while also supporting brain function.
=> Porridge is another good option. As I don't like my daughter having too much dairy so I use water and organic rice milk (NOTHING SOYA). The rice milk adds to the porridge its own delicious flavour. Porridge can be topped with all types of fruit, chopped up or pureed, or a dash of maple syrup, agave nectar or honey if your child is over 3.
=> Muesli, containing no sugar of course, is another good start to the day, plus some additional fruit if wanted. => Organic herbal teas are also a great start to the day.

These offer a far healthier and nutritional start to the day and your child's hunger will be satisfied till lunch time.

One of the benefits of home-schooling is that you have control over what your child will eat! Hot school meals include pizza, chips, baked beans, a lot of meat, canned vegetables and fruit. The hot products often being micro waved which makes the foods completely un-nutritional and unhealthy. It has also been found that around 25% of home made packed lunches barely meet minimum dietary requirements as they contain too much sugar, salt and saturated fats. Below are some healthy eating options for your child's lunch, preferably all organic.

=> Wholemeal bread, multi-grain or harvester bread, Panini's, bagels, pitta bread or rolls should be used instead of white bread.
=> DO NOT use processed meat. A healthier option is to use meat from the last night's dinner. E.g. beef and mustard/horseradish sandwich or chicken and sweetcorn. Or even better NO meat, or IF, once a week and organic. SOME alternative options are cream cheese such as Philadelphia, hummus, egg salad, tuna salad, smoked salmon, cheese and lettuce, spinach leaves with tomato and feta cheese, home made coleslaw, avocado and brie, prawn salad.
=> Diced fruits such as apples, bananas, blueberries, cherries, grapes, nectarines, orange sections, peaches, pears, plums, pineapple and strawberries or raw vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, green salad, sliced cucumber, carrot sticks, parsnip sticks, steamed green beans, with a small pot of dip such as yogurt, sour cream, crème fraiche or hummus.
=> Plain yogurt provides a good source of calcium and protein. Honey (not before the age of 2 years), maple syrup or agave nectar are a good way to add nutritional and natural sweetness.
=> Instead of cakes, chocolate bars, sweets and crisps or other sugary desserts, include dried fruit. In the UK there is a range of Organic 'treats' available which I use for my daughter and myself called Goodies/Organix. They do different types of biscuit, cereal bars, crisps and raisin packets which are 100% organic, have no added sugar, sweeteners, MSG or GM and are naturally sweetened with fruit juices and they taste even better than their counterparts. These are great for hyperactive kids and kids who have poor concentration. This is all food related. Organix are available in all leading superstores such as Tescos and Sainsburys and shops such as Boots and Superdrug.
=> Other snack ideas are nuts, any dried fruits, cheese slices or sticks, a hard-boiled egg, pretzels.
=> Forget soft drinks or sugary fizzy drinks such as coke. Give them water instead! Or herbal teas again. Milk is an option but IF then definitely organic, as this is from a non GM source and the cows aren't pumped up with hormones and antibiotics which are then passed on to your child. I often give my daughter a small carton of organic rice milk which she loves. You can also give fruit juices, again they must be 100% fruit (not concentrate).

If you have a picky eater then you can use supplements to boost their vitamin and nutrient intake. If your child has ADD or ADHD, there supplements out there that will not only support the brain but also reduce the symptoms of both of these. Choose a supplement that provides a full complex of amino acids and fatty acids. Studies have found that ADHD sufferers have lower levels of essential fatty acids which may result in problems concerning learning, behaviour, temper, sleep, and immune function.

Amino acids actually feed the brain. They are the building blocks of protein and elevate the production of various neurotransmitters and enzymes needed for communication between brain cells and a smooth transition from thought to disciplined action.

Related Link: Organix - Goodies, Additive FREE