7 Foods That Will Boost Your Family’s Brain Power

Most people believe they’re stuck with the brain they’re born with.

And that trying to change your brain would be about as easy as trying to change your natural eye color or the length of your toes.

Fortunately, science has universally proven that our brains are not static, but rather can be changed by what we think, do, and eat.

Today we’re going to talk about seven foods you can incorporate into your family’s diet to give your brain an advantage whether you’re a toddler, senior citizen, or anywhere in-between.

The good news is, many of these foods are things you won’t have trouble selling to your kids, and can even include as snacks throughout the day.

When it comes to making healthy food choices, the earlier you can get your kids in the habit of reaching for the right foods, the easier it will be for them to make good choices throughout their life.

We often think of brain health as something we only have to focus on as we get older and the risk of dementia or other illnesses that make us “lose our mind” increase.

But in today’s competitive world, where our children have increasingly high expectations at early ages, it’s never too soon to start giving them the extra edge these brain-friendly foods provide.

1. Blueberries

Blueberries, and other dark colored fruits like strawberries and raspberries, are high in antioxidants and are something children of all ages love.

Look to blueberries and other dark fruits to satisfy your child’s craving for something sweet instead of offering sugary, processed foods.

Another big bonus of blueberries is your kids can serve themselves, which makes for a great between meals snack.

Studies have shown that blueberries can improve short-term memory and motor skills. The gallic acid found in blueberries also safeguards the brain against degeneration and stress.

2. Avocados 

One of the great things about avocados is they can be on the list of your baby’s first foods due to their smooth texture and high content of good fats.

While most kids are avocado fans, they’re also easy to slip into a smoothie for the less enthusiastic eater.

Avocados are known to help with cognitive functioning, especially in the ares of memory and concentration, two big ones for kids of all ages. 

They can also aid in improving problem-solving skills, another area of cognitive functioning where we could all use a boost.

As we get older, avocados help prevent blood clots in the brain that cause strokes.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of those cure-all foods that helps with just about any problem your body might have.

The nice thing about coconut oil is you can use it to replace vegetable oil and other less-healthy oils in just about any recipe, meaning your family gets the health benefits without even knowing they’re make a healthy food choice.

Your brain needs the healthy dietary fats found in coconut oil to maintain a healthy cholesterol level, thereby lowering the risks of depression, and of dementia and Alzheimer’s as we age.

And although it doesn’t appear to be backed by scientific research - yet anyway - there is a growing amount of anecdotal evidence that coconut oil can help combat anxiety and ADHD. 

With all of its scientifically-known advantages, it certainly can’t hurt to focus on increasing your child’s coconut oil intake if he battles either of these common conditions.

4. Dark Chocolate

Hold up before you start passing out the Hershey bars, we’re talking about a very specific chocolate that will improve your brain health.

Dark chocolate is rich in flavonols, which have good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, meaning an increase in cognitive abilities such as processing new information, and staying focused.

Antioxidants also provide energy (which may or may not be a positive for your kids!) and help fight brain disease.

For maximum effect, look for dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa.

5. Broccoli 

Broccoli gets a bad rap with a lot of kids, but if you’ll introduce it early and be a good role model by eating it yourself, you’ll be surprised by how many kids like broccoli.

But, don’t force it if it’s not your child’s thing.

Just encourage him to try it at different stages of his life and in different recipes. Taste buds do change as your child grows up.

Broccoli is important enough to be included on a list of things you should try to get your child to eat because it’s one of the best brain foods out there for a solid memory due to its high levels of vitamin K and choline.

It’s also a great snack for those constantly hungry kids because its high fiber content means they’ll fill up quickly when eating it.

For us adults, broccoli has been shown to benefit “crystallized intelligence,” which basically means it helps the knowledge and skills that you’ve developed throughout life stick with you even as you age.

6. Walnuts

Other nuts like almonds, and seeds from pumpkin or sunflowers are also good here, but walnuts seem to take the grand prize when it comes to brain health.

High in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, walnuts will aid with mental alertness and focus, and can boost your mood.

As we age, the vitamin E also provides a barrier to Alzheimer’s and helps maintain your brain’s health. 

And again, walnuts and other nuts are a good “mom’s busy, grab something from the pantry” snack that require no effort on your part, yet provide a healthy choice for your child.

7. Eggs

Eggs are a nice option for kids because they can be fixed so many different ways, and added to a smoothie if need be.

The really beneficial part of the egg is the yoke, so be sure not to skip that part as some kids tend to do with hard boiled eggs.

The protein and high choline levels in eggs have been shown to improve memory and concentration in kids, which is a huge benefit in our distraction-laden society.

An interesting fact about eggs related to your brain health is that they help with bethane, which is a chemical that produces hormones responsible for our happiness.

Eggs may also help raise your good cholesterol levels like coconut oil does, which can help with the happiness factor since low cholesterol is linked to depression.

Bonus Tip: One of the best things you can do for your brain is drink lots of water. Find our why by taking a look back on the blog at Why Water Should be Your Child's Best Friend This Summer.

Healthy Brain Party Planning

If you’ll look back on this list you can easily see how many of these foods can be incorporated into your child’s next party.

Bowls of blueberries and other dark fruits are popular with kids, as are avocado slices, or even guacamole dip served with chips.

Nuts are another easy party snack, and putting broccoli on a vegetable tray with a side of dip will get you several takers among the kids and their parents.

Add another boost to your child’s brain by kickstarting some of those happy hormones that are bound to be in high gear when her favorite character from KidsPartyCharacters.com shows up.

With over 200 characters to choose from, your child will have a hard time picking her favorite to put on a show as her special party guest.

KidsPartyCharacters.com specializes in creating party memories that last a lifetime. 

Find the package that’s right for you and start planning your child’s next fun and healthy party today at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

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