We all know now, brain needs carbohydrates as its fuel to run but it also need other nutrients to perform the tasks we assign and increase memory power. Quality and the quantity of these vitamins and nutrients will decide how well it works, improve memory and brain functioning. By providing these Vitamins and nutrients in the right balance to our brain in combination with the brain exercise or brain fitness program, we can turn it into a super brain. Here is the list of “Food that is good for the Brain”, to create a super brain. Brain food for the adults will be similar to the baby brain food, except the quantity. Please do not choose yourself how much of what to take, consult a diet doctor. Diets, structure of body and chemicals available in every human body is different, excess or lack of these chemicals will determine, how close you can get to having a super healthy brain.

Whether its infant nutrition or child nutrition, a balanced nutrition program will set you in the right direction. A diet consultant or a diet doctor can provide you with the exact nutrition program according to your child’s attributes. Healthy diets, organic foods, and balanced diet full of good natural vitamins will give your child a healthy brain and improved memory power. Healthy eating for kids does not stop at home, teaching children about school nutrition will keep them alert and active at school and provide better brain health.

Choline for brain:

Choline is a component of two fat-like molecules in the brain that are responsible for brain function and health. Choline is good for the brain and memory development.

Sources: Nuts, Eggs yolk, Soy, Wheat germ, Peanuts, also available as choline supplements from health food stores

Antioxidants for brain:

Antioxidants are good for memory improvement. An abundance of foods are packed with brain-boosting antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, help protect brain cells from free-radical damage caused by environmental pollution. Protection against free radicals is important to protecting the brain well into the golden years.

Sources: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Pecan nuts, Beans, Legumes, Krill oil, Wheat germ, Green Tea, also available as antioxidant supplements or anti aging supplements from health food stores.

Omega-3 fatty acids for brain:

Remember our brain is made of more than 60 % fat and Omega-3 fatty acids are the essential fatty acids in forming the brain cells and its structure. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids keeps cells’ membranes flexible and maximizes their ability to allow important nutrients in. They have been proven to improve cognitive functions of the brain.

Sources: Fish like Salmon and Tuna, Avocado, flaxseed oil, olive oil, nuts like almond and walnut, krill oil, Fish oil supplements

Folic Acid for brain:

Folic acid improves performance of information processing speed and memory. In studies it has proven that folic acid can prevent or even in some case reverse memory loss.

Sources: Wheat germ, Papaya, Orange juice, Black eyed peas, Lentils, Spinach, Broccoli, also available as folic acid supplement from health food stores.

Carbohydrates for brain:

Carbohydrates are the only source of energy for the brain. Complex, whole-grain carbohydrates contain folate and other B vitamins which help improve memory function and are rich in fiber, providing a steady stream of energy.

Sources: Whole grains, Potato, Sweet potato, Dry dates and apricots, Honey, Jaggery, Red kidney beans

Iron for brain:

Iron helps protect the brain from oxidative stress while reducing the risk of suffering from an age-related decline in function. Iron-rich foods also improve mental alertness and energy levels. Iron is important for brain health because a deficiency can impair concentration and mental performance.

Sources: Red meat, Poultry, Spinach, Dried fruits, Citrus fruits, Fruit juices, Berries, Tomato, Capsicum, Broccoli, Cabbage, Raisin bran, also available as iron supplements from health food stores

Magnesium for brain:

Magnesium protects the brain from toxic effects of chemicals such as food additives. Magnesium is a mineral that helps relax blood vessels, preventing the constriction and dilation characteristic of migraine and tension headaches.

Sources: Wheat germ, Kelp, Sunflower seeds, Nuts, Spinach, Tea, Raisin bran, also available as magnesium supplements from health food stores

Water for brain:

Staying well-hydrated is extremely important and helps prevent fatigue and keep concentration levels going strong.

Source: Water, Juices, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Vitamins for brain:

B vitamins play an essential role in brain function. In combination with folic acid, vitamins B6 and vitamin B12 help manufacture and release chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The nervous system relies on neurotransmitters to communicate messages within the brain, such as those that regulate mood, hunger, and sleep.

Essential Vitamins:

Vitamin a (Beta Carotene):

Promotes growth and repair of body tissues, reduces susceptibility to infections, aids in bone and teeth formation, and maintains smooth skin.

Vitamin b1 (Thiamin):

Promotes growth and muscle tone; aids in the proper functioning of the muscles, heart, and nervous system, assists in digestion of carbohydrates.

Vitamin b2 (Riboflavin):

Maintains good vision and healthy skin, hair, and nails, assists in formation of antibodies and red blood cells, aids in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Vitamin b3 (Niacin amide):

Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, maintains healthy skin, tongue, and digestive system, improves blood circulation, and increases energy.

Vitamin b5:

Fortifies white blood cells, helps the body’s resistance to stress, and builds cells.

Vitamin b6 (Pyridoxine):

Aids in the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, supports the central nervous system, and maintains healthy skin.

Vitamin b12 (Cobalamin):

Promotes growth in children, prevents anemia by regenerating red blood cells, aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, maintains healthy nervous system.

Biotin:

Aids in the metabolism of proteins and fats; promotes healthy skin.

Choline:

Helps development of brain and liver, eliminate toxins.

Folic Acid (Folate, Folacin):

Promotes the growth and reproduction of body cells. Aids in the formation of red blood cells and bone marrow.

Vitamin c (Ascorbic Acid):

One of the major antioxidants, essential for healthy teeth, gums, and bones, helps to heal wounds, fractures, and scar tissue, builds resistance to infections, assists in the prevention and treatment of the common cold, prevents scurvy

Vitamin d:

Improves the absorption of calcium and phosphorous (essential in the formation of healthy bones and teeth) maintains nervous system.

Vitamin e:

A major antioxidant, supplies oxygen to blood, provides nourishment to cells, prevents blood clots, slows cellular aging.

Vitamin k (Menadione):

Prevents internal bleeding, reduces heavy menstrual flow.

Other Vitamin supplements for brain

• Selenium supplements

• Ginkgo Biloba supplements

• Chromium supplements

• Zinc supplements

• Calcium supplements

Bad food for brain

• Foods with artificial sweeteners or coloring

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Sugary fruit drinks soft drinks and alcohol

• Refined oils, white sugars and breads

• Trans fats and partially-hydrogenated oils

• Processed snack foods and meats

How important are manners and etiquette’s in this modern world and child development? Most of the good schools require kids to have proper child manners and child etiquette’s. “Military Schools” and “Private Schools” are very strict about this and most of them have extra classes to teach kids proper manners and etiquette’s. Not only that there are etiquette schools, etiquette classes and even etiquette consultants to teach, train and arm our kids as well as the adults with modern manners and classic etiquette’s.

Children are reflections of their parents. On special occasion’s, gatherings, parties or visiting friends and relatives parents expect their children to show proper manners and etiquette’s, be polite and respectful. Manners and etiquette’s cant be learn overnight its a gradual process and needs a lot of time and patience from the parents. Teachers as well as senior adults have noticed and raised the voice that, children now a days show very little respect and manners than previous generations. Parents manners and etiquette’s help develop childrens manners and childrens etiquette’s. When teaching child manners, do not overload a child with many lessons at once, deal with one or two at a time so that they can grasp it in full detail. Do not ever tell them “Do it because I say so.”, you have to explain them “Why it’s not right?”, What will be the benefits of doing the right things?”. Please don’t forget to praise them for doing the right thing, it will be just like, if you work very hard at your job and not being praised or rewarded for it.

Etiquette training starts at an early age, kids learn by observing things and behavior of people around them. Parents discipline and parents manners will set the right examples, you are the one who is their first influence, first learning example. If you talk with mouth full of food, they will notice that and assume its right to do so. Family manners and etiquette’s are all those little things that we do everyday, around kids at home or outside. If the parents do not force the family manners and follow them themselves it will make a big difference later in the kids life. Rules should be equal for everyone in the house, than only kids will respect you and each other.

The way they behave is the way they are treated. Remember the magic word “REWARD”, its the key to teaching manners to young kids. Reward doesn’t have to be financial or a gift. Reward can be your love to them, may be just a hug and a kiss, praising them for what they did, may be taking them along for a bike ride or shopping, may be allowing them to go and play with their friends. In the end for every good deed they need to be rewarded to understand the importance of doing the right things.

Parent’s role in teaching child manners

As I said before, kids learn by watching adults around them. Parents manners and family etiquettes, therefore play a huge role in teaching child manners and etiquette’s.

Respect:

Your parenting style has a lot to do with respect. Treating children with respect teaches kids to respect others and you. Talk kindly to your children and they will learn how to talk kindly to others and you. It is also helpful to talk to children regarding how to respond in specific situations to better prepare them for when these situations arise.

Sharing:

Share with your kids so they can understand the importance of sharing with others. Compliment them when you see them sharing with others.

Politeness:

Everyone in the family must practice “please” and “thank-you” policy in which, for example, no request is considered unless the person asking says “please.” When one of your children forgets, just say “Where are the magic words?”. They soon catch on. You can teach them to say “thank you” in the same manner.

Apologizing:

In the begining children are always shy to apologise, but before the age they become stubborn to apologise parents should encourage children to apologize, when they do something wrong. Apologies should be sincere. If they are not comfortable apologizing face to face, they should write an apology note. Good judgment should be used by the parent as to when an apology is appropriate.

Compliment:

Emphasize the right thing to do and compliment your children when they exhibit good manners, rather than criticizing them for using poor manners. Praise is a wonderful teacher. Tell your children how proud you are when you notice them being polite.

Model the manners:

Remember your child is watching you every moment and will learn to do everything that you are doing, so watch out for your own actions.

Instruct in small doses:

Teach manners in a step by step process. For example, telephone manners or telephone etiquettes, begin instructions with “hellos” and “good-byes,” then teach asking the caller to “please wait, I will go and get my mum” and in the end , guide children to take messages. Dining etiquettes or table manners are another important learning task. Try in small step by step process as well, for instance begin with how to sit properly on the table, to how to hold cutlery and in the end teach them how to set up the dinner table and serve the guests.Try step by step process with other manners as well.

Keep kids healthy:

Children tend to show bad manners or mis manners and etiquettes when they’re tired or hungry. Kids need proper sleep and nutritious foods to survive. If you think you will be having late night at the family gathering, make sure your kids have an afternoon nap to cope with the late night stress instead of misbehaving.

Be patient:

Don’t expect perfection overnight. As with any skill being taught, there will be mistakes along the way. Learning is a trial and error process. We all learn from our mistakes. Give your kids enough time and opportunity to learn and grasp new skills. As I said before young children or teen kids they are the reflections of their parents. As a parent we all want to give them the best, but sometimes we are not fully equipped with all the information. If you feel you are stuck with some questions feel free to take “parenting advice”. There are many “Child Care Services” that help young parents with free Parenting Advice.

Have a happy parenting.