What Foods Help Boost Concentration in Children

Certain foods naturally help our children concentrate better, thus improving their academic performance. Learn about these foods in today's article.
What Foods Help Boost Concentration in Children

Last update: 08 February, 2019

Some foods help naturally boost concentration in children. Including these foods as a regular part of your children’s diet will contribute greatly to their health and learning.

Concentration is a fundamental aspect of learning, especially when children start going to school. To keep their brains active, providing them with proper nutrition should be a priority

The human body requires vitamins, nutrients and minerals to stay healthy and reach their maximum physical and mental potential. Children have special requirements in this sense because they’re still developing.

Some of the foods recommended by specialists boost concentration naturally. Thanks to their high nutritional value, they raise energy and help the brain pay more attention.

Foods rich in fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals are ideal for increasing the level of concentration in children.

What foods boost concentration in children?

If you want your children to pay better and better attention, be sure to include the following foods in their diet :

Fish

Fish, especially bluefish, is a great source of protein and minerals. For example, phosphate boosts neural connections, and high concentrations of omega 3 and omega 6 (fatty acids) benefit the nervous system.

Omega fatty acids are considered essential, since the body cannot produce them. It’s important to offer your children salmon, tuna and sardines. All of these are among the fish with the highest fatty acid content.

Eggs

Eggs are an important source of phosphate. Their beneficial composition includes 9 amino acids that are fundamental for the optimal functioning of our bodies.

Eggs are also rich in cholineanother fundamental nutrient for memory and concentration. This helps with the optimal communication between neurons. Finally, eggs are also a great source of protein and energy.

What Foods Help Boost Concentration in Children

Milk and milk derivatives

Rich in calcium, milk and other dairy products regulate our body’s nervous functions. They also provide us with tryptophan, which produces serotonin, an essential brain neurotransmitter.

Yogurt possesses a high proportion of an amino acid called tyrosine. This nutrient serves to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

These both play a role in the concentration process and in the proper functioning of memory. The best thing about yogurt is that children love it.

Nuts

Nuts are another source of tryptophane. What’s more, they offer omega fatty acids that help children concentrate. They also contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that make them the perfect food for neural function.

Walnuts and peanuts are a great source of nutrients that stimulate and protect the connections between neurons. They also offer proteins and fats rich in thiamine. These substances help boost concentration.

Olive oil and avocados

Monounsaturated fats are the most healthy, and we can find them in olive oil and avocados. These aid tremendously in blood circulation of the brain, improve communication between neurons, and boost memory .

Besides being a source of healthy fats, avocados also keep the functioning of the brain and the nervous system at their best. They also possess antioxidants that protect memory and boost learning and child development .

“Concentration is a fundamental aspect of learning, especially when children start going to school. To keep their brains active, providing them with proper nutrition should be a priority.”

Fruits

Fruits are a must when it comes to your family’s diet, especially for your kids. They’re rich in fiber and provide our bodies with simple sugars that serve as nutrients for the brain and have few calories.

Bananas, for example, provide our bodies with large amounts of potassium and magnesium. Both nutrients are very important in children’s diets.

They also contain vitamin B6, with helps in the secretion of norepinephrine and serotonin, important neurotransmitters for concentration.

Other fruits such as blueberries – and even cacao in moderation – contribute to maintaining a high level of attention. This is a win-win situation – delicious flavor and nutrition in one.

Cereals and wholegrain pastas

Cereals and wholegrain pastas provide the brain with complex carbohydrates, which are then transformed into glucose and amino acids.

Together with B6 – which helps the nervous system – they increase serotonin production to reduce stress.

Many times, a lack of foods that boost concentration and energy can contribute to tiredness. That’s why the above-mentioned foods are all essential in keeping our children active, attentive and ready to learn.

What Foods Help Boost Concentration in Children

That being said, we also suggest being prudent when it comes to foods that, when consumed in excess, can overstimulate. While they offer a good supply of energy, overdoing it can have the opposite effect and actually get in the way of a child’s ability to concentrate.

You should also avoid foods that contain a lot of starch or wheat flour. This is because rapid fluctuations in blood sugar can affect our children’s learning and memory.

At the same time, you should reduce sugar consumption and exclude lunch meats that contain sodium nitrate. These can lead to short-term memory loss in children.

It’s always important to keep things in balance. Good nutrition not only gives our children healthy bodies, but healthy minds as well. 

Follow today’s advice and incorporate these healthy foods into your children’s diet. Doing so will boost concentration and overall development.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.