Brain Boosting Breakfast Ideas

Mornings are hectic. Parents scrambling to get themselves and their little ones geared up for the day ahead face no small feat in beating the clock. Simply put – anything A.M. is an inconvenience. But for parents and kids alike, there are plenty of good reasons to keep breakfast a priority. 

Current research goes a long way in praising breakfast as the most important meal of the day. Nutritional morning meals significantly reduce the risk of obesity in children, and kids who regularly have breakfast are more likely to attend class, be on time and have a longer attention span. They are also more likely to have higher grades and be less anxious.

Starting the day with a healthy meal is shown to impact a child’s physical health (they are less likely to be overweight),  emotional and mental well-being. In fact, eating breakfast is thought to make people less irritable, restless, tired, and to be more productive. The promise of getting more bang for your 24 hour buck is convincing for both parents and kids alike.

Here are some brain boosting breakfast foods to get you going:

Eggs include an offering of protein, B vitamins and choline, linked to healthy brain development and memory. They are also filling and versatile. Sneak in some extra vitamins by mixing in spinach to those scrambling eggs or fold over omelettes.

Oatmeal is linked to better academic results and takes minutes to prepare. Dress up your plain oats with dates, honey, cinnamon, coconut shavings or fresh fruit. Add a dash of milk when cooking for a creamy goodness. If you opt for instant – always read the box and go for the choice with the least amount of sugar. 

Berries are loaded with antioxidants and lots of brain boosting power. They add great flavour and colour to any dish and are a natural sweetener. Berries can be pricey, but you only need a handful to spruce up a morning favourite. If you opt for frozen berries (especially good for smoothies), avoid brands that use preservatives. 

 

 

Leave out the juice and get in some citrus-y goodness. Vitamin C also serves your neurotransmitters – impacting mood and memory.  Go for the real deal and choose the fruit without the added sugar, and with the fibre and good stuff that gets subtracted in juicing. Add colour and sunshine to your dish with grapefruit, oranges, tangerines and cantaloupe (which also gets in a good serving of Vitamin C).