Feed your online learner some proper brain food

POLOKWANE – Being at home and having to attend classes online might be a struggle for some learners, as the home environment offers a different challenge to that of physically being present at school.

According to Chef Bukola Falodum, co-founder of Chef Prodigies, what your children eat may just be the secret to better focus. “What they eat is quite important for optimum brain development, their focus and their cognitive skills. Certain foods can help children stay sharp,” she said.

One of these, she explains, is eggs. “Fold scrambled eggs into a slice of whole-grain bread or tortilla for a filling breakfast or late afternoon snack. The protein-carb combo keeps children going until the next meal with no sugar-induced energy crash. You can also serve egg salad sandwiches,” she said.  She adds that a plate full of leafy vegetables such as greens, is also linked to lower odds of dementia later in life.

“Other greens such as kale (spinach family) is a super food, packed with antioxidants.  It is perhaps not their favourite, but parents can whip the spinach or kale into smoothies for snack time and sometimes it can be taken as a meal. You can also add spinach to omelettes or lasagne, and you can make kale chips. Cut the kale from its stems, drizzle with olive oil and a bit of salt, and bake it in the oven,” is her advice.

Fish is a good source of vitamin D and omega-3s, which protect the brain from declining mental skills and memory loss. “Dish up some salmon, tuna, and sardines which are all rich in omega-3s. The more omega-3s we can get to the brain, the better it will function and the better children will be able to focus,” she explained.  Most children also love fish cakes and fish fingers, which are the safest fish to serve to a child, as with other kinds of fish, you have to watch out for the bones, Bukola suggests. “Fish cakes and fish fingers can be served as breakfast, lunch or dinner.”

anne@nmgroup.co.za