Lately, I've been doing a lot of research on this topic. I knew there were certain foods that were best suited for certain things (i.e. memory.) I decided to make a spreadsheet to see how many overlaps I could find in the most important categories that would benefit my family the most. I was searching for those "super foods." Here are my findings and recommendations for snacks and meals for your family.
These were the 9 categories that I researched: Brain Development and Memory, Skin, Hair & Nails, Heart, Energy, Smile, Eyes, Stress Reduction, and Intestinal and Bladder Health.
Out of a total of 79 foods, only 7 foods appeared in 4 or more categories. These "super foods" are: Soybeans, Kidney Beans, Low Fat Yogurt, Salmon, Blueberries, Turkey, and Spinach.
I also found some interesting information regarding brain functionality. There are two types of fats that our brains need. These create two categories of food and ideally, we should eat something from each category, rather than only one category. From what I can tell, the most kid-friendly snack that would accomplish this would be sunflower seeds and walnuts. I will be keeping a container of these in the fridge for little fingers. (And, unsalted is always best!) As for a super-brain meal, salmon and corn can't be beat!
For brain development, a snack of apples, grapes and low fat yogurt works wonders and is easy for even toddlers to eat. A breakfast of oatmeal and milk is perfect.
For skin, try green tea (drank or applied directly to the skin works) and a snack of blueberries, strawberries and walnuts.
To accomplish great results for hair and nails and work on the health of your heart, try a salad packed full of spinach, soybeans, flax seed, almond slivers, kidney beans and eggs- drizzled with olive oil. Every single item is very powerful and nothing is wasted or bad for you.
For a good energy boost, fresh orange slices are easy and fun with kids. Also, slice up an apple and dip in peanut butter. Peanut butter isn't just great tasting with the apples, it does its own job by providing excellent energy!
For eye health, a kiwi is just plain fun! What kid isn't intrigued by a hairy, green fruit that looks like it came from another planet??? Also, a snack of fresh broccoli and carrots drizzled in olive oil will greatly help your kids' eyes develop and improve. Believe it or not, dark chocolate works too! (in limited quantity though!)
To improve the health and beauty of your child's smile, give them some celery to chew on and some cheese cubes. Easy and yummy!
To reduce your own stress and calm your hyperactive toddler down, try a wonderful dinner of brown rice, turkey and sweet potatoes with a glass of milk. These items not only taste good together, they all provide terrific stress-busting, calming effects.
For intestinal health and bladder health, yogurt and whole wheat breads or muffins help keep things working right. Also, a snack of cranberries and bananas with some coconut is excellent.
A nibble tray for a toddler is an excellent way to keep them eating right. You can use an ice cube tray, muffin tray or compartmentalized plastic dish. This allows you to include small portions of healthy foods and several different types of dips (i.e. peanut butter or yogurt.) Encourage your child to sit and eat from the nibble tray throughout the day. Keeping blood sugar stable helps their behavior- so, yes, grazing is a good thing. :)
That's all for now- have fun eating!
These were the 9 categories that I researched: Brain Development and Memory, Skin, Hair & Nails, Heart, Energy, Smile, Eyes, Stress Reduction, and Intestinal and Bladder Health.
Out of a total of 79 foods, only 7 foods appeared in 4 or more categories. These "super foods" are: Soybeans, Kidney Beans, Low Fat Yogurt, Salmon, Blueberries, Turkey, and Spinach.
I also found some interesting information regarding brain functionality. There are two types of fats that our brains need. These create two categories of food and ideally, we should eat something from each category, rather than only one category. From what I can tell, the most kid-friendly snack that would accomplish this would be sunflower seeds and walnuts. I will be keeping a container of these in the fridge for little fingers. (And, unsalted is always best!) As for a super-brain meal, salmon and corn can't be beat!
For brain development, a snack of apples, grapes and low fat yogurt works wonders and is easy for even toddlers to eat. A breakfast of oatmeal and milk is perfect.
For skin, try green tea (drank or applied directly to the skin works) and a snack of blueberries, strawberries and walnuts.
To accomplish great results for hair and nails and work on the health of your heart, try a salad packed full of spinach, soybeans, flax seed, almond slivers, kidney beans and eggs- drizzled with olive oil. Every single item is very powerful and nothing is wasted or bad for you.
For a good energy boost, fresh orange slices are easy and fun with kids. Also, slice up an apple and dip in peanut butter. Peanut butter isn't just great tasting with the apples, it does its own job by providing excellent energy!
For eye health, a kiwi is just plain fun! What kid isn't intrigued by a hairy, green fruit that looks like it came from another planet??? Also, a snack of fresh broccoli and carrots drizzled in olive oil will greatly help your kids' eyes develop and improve. Believe it or not, dark chocolate works too! (in limited quantity though!)
To improve the health and beauty of your child's smile, give them some celery to chew on and some cheese cubes. Easy and yummy!
To reduce your own stress and calm your hyperactive toddler down, try a wonderful dinner of brown rice, turkey and sweet potatoes with a glass of milk. These items not only taste good together, they all provide terrific stress-busting, calming effects.
For intestinal health and bladder health, yogurt and whole wheat breads or muffins help keep things working right. Also, a snack of cranberries and bananas with some coconut is excellent.
A nibble tray for a toddler is an excellent way to keep them eating right. You can use an ice cube tray, muffin tray or compartmentalized plastic dish. This allows you to include small portions of healthy foods and several different types of dips (i.e. peanut butter or yogurt.) Encourage your child to sit and eat from the nibble tray throughout the day. Keeping blood sugar stable helps their behavior- so, yes, grazing is a good thing. :)
That's all for now- have fun eating!
