Tips for Brain Boosting Foods

Your baby's brain starts developing while he's still a foetus inside your womb. Read on to know about the foods that improve the brain health of your child

Mothers are often asked, 'What did your gynaec give you ?' when people note that their infants and toddlers are active and intelligent. While you could laugh and gush with pride, it is interesting to think about all that the good doctor did prescribe during the prenatal months. If you are expecting you should pay special attention to your diet, since nearly 70 per cent of foetal brain growth and development takes place in the womb. Following are certain foods that promote development of your child's brain in the womb.

Fortified cereals

Fortified cereals are rich sources of nutrients like folic acid and choline. They are important for brain cell formation. Eating fortified cereals during pregnancy can help to prevent neural tube defects in infants. Citrus fruits, dried beans and peas are good source of naturally occurring folate. Iron in fortified cereals can also improve foetal brain health. Talk to your doctor as prenatal supplements with folic acid are essential too.

Eggs

Eggs are the best possible source of choline. It has been suggested that it can have long lasting on a baby's ability to lean and remember. Whether you like them scrambled, easy-side-up or as an omelet, it's a quick and easy option to start the day with eggs.

Dark leafy greens

Antioxidant help fight free radicals which can damage your child's brain tissue. There are various foods that you can eat to boost your antioxidants and dark green leafy vegetables are one of them. A would be mum should eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetable during the first trimester of pregnancy. Always accompany your meals with a salad of leafy greens or spinach or lentils and end your meals with an orange to get more folate in your diet. Make sure that you clean your vegetables and fruits throughly before you eat them.

Fish

Fish contain the omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexanoic acid or DHA, which is necessary for optimal brain development, your body does not manufacture DHA, so you must get it from your food. Pregnant women are directly to eat plenty of fatty fish like sardines and salmon which are rich source of DHA. But beware that some fish contain mercury, which can be harmful to your foetus.

Dairy products

The lack of cacium and iodine may lead to baby's learning disabilities, delay in language development, behavioral problemetc. To ensure proper foetal brain development, pregnant women should include plenty of calcium and iodine rich foods into their daily diet plan. Milk and other dairy products are top source of calcium and iodine.

Nuts and seeds

To satisfy your frequent hunger pangs during pregnancy, expectant mothers are advised to snack on healthy food like nuts and seeds. They contain healthy omega - 3 fats as well as plenty of brain boosting micro-nutrients, such as vitamin B6. Nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashew nuts contain a variety of nutrients which aid in proper foetal brain growth. Other excellent sources of omega - 3 include flaxseeds, chia seeds, soybean and canola oils.

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