Do you know that the brain is a very hungry organ?
It is so hungry to the point that it consumes more than 20% of your body’s total energy haul. This energy is used to feed our irreplaceable brain cells.
Yes, irreplaceable!
Unlike the rest of the body, where cells are constantly replaced, a vast majority of our brain cells stay with us our whole lives—which means they need extra upkeep and nourishment.
What more for our children, when brain development is most active?
That is why you need to know the top 5 brain food to feed your toddler so their brains can develop well:
Eggs
Versatile and easily available, eggs are known as a great protein source. However, when eating eggs, many have the preconceived notion that egg whites are better than yolks. This is not true.
Yolks are packed with choline which helps memory development. A new study from Washington University presents a finding that feeding babies one egg per day for six months could significantly boost brain function.
Apart from choline, eggs also contain DHA, an essential nutrient for brain health and development. Both of these nutrients are present in the egg yolk, so your child needs to eat both the yolk and the whites.
Fatty Fish
Brain food is often synonymous with omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. Now, where can you find them? You’ve guessed it—oily fish, like salmon. These nutrients are essential for healthy brain growth and function. Around 60% of the brain is fat, so your body uses omega-3 fatty acids to aid neurological development and protect the brain from memory loss and declining memory function.
Research has shown that people who consume a diet rich in these fatty acids might have sharper memories and do better in mental skills tests. You are allowed to be sceptical, but try it first!
Other fish to include in their diet include trout, mackerel, herring and sardines.
Berries
Berries are fun food seldom taken seriously but are good for the brain too. They contain anthocyanins and other flavonoids, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Blueberries, in particular, are tied to many brain benefits. Anthocyanins found in blueberries can cross the blood-brain barrier to decrease oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and improve neuron communication within the brain. It can also preserve memory function and prevent cognitive decline.
With all of these brain-boosting benefits, blueberries (and all other berries like raspberries, blackberries, etc) are a fantastic addition to your child’s daily meal plan. Plus, you don’t have to cut or peel anything because all they do is pop it in their mouth!
Colourful Veggies
Veggies such as tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage are rich in antioxidants. They protect our body and brain against free radical damage.
Wait, what is free radical damage?
It is little high energy electrons that can alter stuff at the atomic level. When it happens in the body, it can damage the DNA, which contains genes, as well as proteins, lipids, cell membranes, and more, causing disease.
Therefore, consuming leafy greens like spinach will provide your body with folate, which is necessary for cell repair and maintenance, as well as the development of DNA.
Vegetables are also an essential part of an overall balanced diet, so make sure your children are getting adequate vegetables each day. Start them off with pureed vegetables and they will grow accustomed to the taste in no time!
Dairy
Once your child goes heavy on solid food, that does not mean milk is not important anymore. Milk, yoghurt and cheese are nutritious and packed with protein and B-vitamins, which are essential for the growth of brain tissues, neurotransmitters and enzymes.
A study in 2019 investigated whether milk fortified with micronutrients and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (PUFA) resulted in improved cognitive function in mainstream school children. Their results show that fortifying milk with micronutrients and PUFA would be an effective and practical way to improve children’s cognitive development.
Feed Your Child’s Brain with Morinaga Chil-kid
As responsible and loving parents, it’s important your children are getting the correct and sufficient nutrition to boost their brain development.
Fortunately, things are made easier with Morinaga Chil-kid for parents with young children. Morinaga Chil-kid is less sweet with a mild vanilla taste, making the milk more oishi (delicious) for the young ones!
Morinaga Chil-kid formula milk is a Japanese formulation specially designed for Asian children aged 1 to 7 years. Morinaga Chil-kid also contains the necessary nutrients to support the growth and development of a child like AA, DHA, GOS, Nucleotides, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Taurine, Calcium, Iron, Zinc and Selenium.
With a balanced ratio of Arachidonic acid (AA) and DHA, the combo works hard to boost early brain development stages in young children. It is recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for Asian children too. In 2008, a team of 19 experts from 11 countries pressed for the presence of DHA and AA in all formula milk under the Recommendations and Guidelines for Perinatal Medicine.
The Morinaga Chil-kid formula fully-produced in the Netherlands has it! It also complies to the stringent double safety standards.
Morinaga is the brand name passed down through the generations after being around for decades. Morinaga is known to provide balanced nutrients for our body from our youth then to our children today.
Get Morinaga Chil-kid Today!
If you are considering buying Morinaga Chil-kid, today is your lucky day.
Buy 2 boxes of Morinaga Chil-kid 600g or 1 tin of Morinaga Chil-kid 900g and you’ll get a free Morinaga Temporary Parking Card. Get yours here!
You can also apply to get the Morinaga Chil-kid trial pack that is 600g at RM20 only! Sign up here.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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