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12 Brain Development Foods for Kids
Did you know that a two-year old’s brain produces over 10 lakh neural connections every second? Just like the body, the brain develops quickly during childhood and needs the right nourishment to capitalise on that growth. We’ve curated twelve brain-optimising foods that you just can’t miss out on.
Brain-Boosting Foods for Children
Here are some of the best brain foods out there to keep your little Einstein’s brain ticking:
1. Spinach
“Popeye” the cartoon that started in 1919 and ran well into the 90’s got things wrong. While building strong biceps isn’t likely to be one of the attributes of spinach, it certainly helps to strengthen the brain cells. Spinach contains antioxidants that help rectify the damage caused by free-radicals (toxic by-products produced due to various factors). It is thought that free-radicals damage brain cells and leads to mental decline. Spinach also contains folate that helps in all round brain development.
How to Serve
Getting kids to eat spinach by itself can be a complicated affair. The trick lies in combining the spinach with a dish that compliments its tastes. One can try serving it with macaroni, chicken and cheese. Be sure to finely chop the spinach so that its small enough that the kids don’t notice it, but big enough to give a pleasant green colour to the dish.
2. Eggs
Eggs contain Choline, a nutrient that helps in retaining neural pathways to keep memories intact. Did you know that a single egg is enough to supply a kid with a quarter of their choline needs?
How to Serve
A boiled egg neatly cut into thin slices can be served in a sandwich made from whole grain bread. Make sure you slap in some lettuce for that extra crunch along with some ketchup.
3. Curd
We all know that curd has the power to help with digestion, but what if we told you that probiotics helped in brain development? A study showed that consuming fermented dairy products had an impact on the part of the brain that controls emotions and sensations. This has made scientists believe that curd could help in controlling anxiety and depression. Some scientists even speculate that there is a connection between improved social skills and curd, though the reasoning seems far-fetched. It puts forth the idea that the symbiotic relationship between gut bacteria and humans has a role to play in this. As the bacteria benefit from increased human hosts, it has somehow helped to improve the social skills of humans to propagate their own genes.
How to Serve
Many kids love curd, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they devour the curd alone without a second thought. To those kids who have some difficulty with this, add a teaspoon of honey and they’re bound to be satisfied.
4. Fish
Fish is the holy grail of brain food due to its vital ingredient of Omega 3 fatty acids. The brain has over 50% of its fat mass based on this, and it is thought that consuming fish helps increase this mass. The power of this is so widely accepted that numerous manufacturers of baby formula often boast of their product containing Omega 3 fatty acids. A study conducted shows that the consumption of fish has a strong bearing on maintaining the brain’s structural integrity.
How to Serve
Fish can be marinated in curd, lemon, turmeric and other spices before being baked and served. While fried fish may seem delicious, the aforementioned study noted that its nutritional gets diminished as a result.
5. Berries
Just like spinach, berries too contain anti-oxidants that help stop or even reverse the harmful effects of free-radicals on the brain. Another brain enhancing component found in berries are flavonoids. These make their way to the hippocampus and are known to help improve learning capabilities.
How to Serve
Berries that can be consumed include blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. You can serve them in a variety of forms or as accompaniments to various dishes like pancakes. You could also make smoothies which require just a cupful of berries along with yoghurt, orange juice, a banana and honey for taste.
6. Turmeric
One of the overlooked foods to improve kids brain power is turmeric. The main ingredient that gives turmeric its magic is curcumin which has anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidative properties. Turmeric is a spice that is remedial in nature & both the stated properties reduce any damage the brain may have sustained over time. Another benefit of turmeric is its ability to stop the growth of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. A study showed that a build-up this dangerous element in our brain can reduce our mental strength.
How to Serve
Turmeric blends well with milk and a smoothie filled with fruits such as pineapples, mangoes or oranges. Make sure you add some pepper as it can help in the absorption of curcumin in the blood by over 2000%. Serve chilled with some honey to get those taste buds tingling.
7. Walnuts
We’re nuts about this brain food! The Omega 3 fatty acids present in walnuts help improve memory as well as reduce inflammations in the brain. If that weren’t enough, it also removes excess protein deposits in the brain which helps in revamping memory power.
How to Serve
Walnuts, like berries, can cost a pretty penny. You could mix it up with some other healthy foods, preferably yoghurt. A combination of yoghurt, bananas, walnuts with a dash of honey will have your kids begging for more.
8. Oatmeal
While oats are famous for their powers to aid the digestive system, they haven't received due credit when it comes to helping the brain. Children who eat oats for breakfast consistently perform better at school as it regulates the blood sugar in the body.
How to Serve
While oats by themselves are bland and tasteless, they work well by adding a couple of fruits to the mix. Put in half a pomegranate and a kiwi fruit to a bowl of oats and you’ll find it all empty in less than a few minutes. The natural sugar in the pomegranate means that there is no need to add any refined sugar.
8. Beans
Beans are one of the best foods for children's brain development. They have a high content of omega fatty acids which help improve memory.
How to Serve
Beans, specifically kidney beans are great for the brain. Serve your kids some traditional rajma-chawal (kidney beans and rice).
10. Apples
Apples can help in the production of a chemical called acetylcholine which helps in the transmission of messages between nerves in the brain. The presence of antioxidants is a bonus that helps to reverse any damage done by free radicals to the brain.
How to Serve
The best part about an apple is that it requires no fancy presentation. Just make sure you thoroughly clean the apple or peel off the skin as some producers add wax to the skin to increase its shelf-life.
11. Avocados
These exotic fruits are coveted by health enthusiasts around the world for its high nutritional content. Apart from Vitamin K and potassium, they contain folate which helps in brain development. In fact, pregnant women are advised to have a regular supply of folate in their diet to prevent any neural birth defects in the foetus.
How to Serve
An acquired taste, avocados are creamy in nature and can be easily used as a bread spread. Add some cucumbers along with some cheese and your kids will keep wanting more.
12. Amla
Also known as the Indian Gooseberry, Amla is known for numerous health benefits such as boosting immunity and improving eyesight. Amla contains antioxidants that help in fighting off harmful free radicals in the brain.
How to Serve
Amla can be made into chutney and goes well with South Indian dishes such as idlis, dosas and upma.
Now that you know what the best foods are, that can be used to give your child’s brain development a boost. Feel free to tweak the ingredients in the recipes to cater to your kid’s palette. Over time, you’ll have the best combination of brain food available for every day of the week.
Also Read: Best Foods to Increase Height in Children Read more
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Eating Jackfruit During Breastfeeding - Is It Safe?
Jackfruit is the newest superfood on the block. It is loved dearly by some for their sweetness and unique texture, but it is also unpopular with other people for its strong fruity smell. This is a tropical fruit bursting with Vitamin B6 and Potassium, and is also rich in anti-oxidants. But should it be consumed during the breastfeeding period? The foods that you consume during lactation do reach your baby during breastfeeding in very small quantities. Jackfruit produces a lot of heat in the body, so it is advisable to consume it in moderate quantities during lactation.
Should You Consume Jackfruit While Breastfeeding?
Jackfruit is a very good source of carbohydrates and fibre. The flesh of this wonderful fruit contains simple sugars, i.e., fructose and sucrose which aid in replenishing and revitalising the body very easily. This helps in providing energy to lactating mothers. Being low in sodium content, jackfruit during breastfeeding can be an easy snack option.
Are there Any Side Effects of Jackfruit While Breastfeeding?
While jackfruit is one of the best fruits you can consider eating during breastfeeding, there are some side effects on consuming it as well.
People suffering from blood disorders find their condition aggravated by consuming jackfruits as eating it may result in coagulation.
Your child can taste whatever you eat when you're breastfeeding. Consuming jackfruit can alter the flavour of the milk which your little one might not like.
It can cause gastric discomfort in babies who are breastfed.
It can cause discomfort in breastfeeding moms who are allergic to birch pollen.
Precautions to Take While Eating Jackfruit During Lactation?
Jackfruit is not known to cause any major side effects when consumed. However, it would be wise to consume it in moderate portions when you are lactating. If you consume jackfruit when you are breastfeeding, your baby will get to taste it as well, and it may give her painful colic or gas. Restrict the consumption of jackfruit if your baby shows any sign of irritation after you have consumed jackfruit and breastfed her.
Though jackfruit is one of the best foods that can provide you with the needed nutrition, remember to increase your water intake to offset any side effects that it might have. Let your body reap the benefits of this super-fruit.
Also Read: Eating Spicy Food while Breastfeeding Read more
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Dealing with Cuts and Scrapes in Toddlers
No Parents want to see their children get hurt. But, getting hurt is a part of life and it is an experience of learning, which every child needs to feel. It is essential for parents to be aware of some first-aid steps for curing their child’s cuts and scrapes. If things go beyond their reach, they may need professional help.
Cuts and scrapes is a part and parcel of the growing years of a playful child. Children are bound to get hurt accidentally while playing and this is something that is unavoidable. Parents can take preventive measures, but they can’t, and should not, control their ever-exploring toddler all the time. However, it is vital for parents to deal with common cuts and scrapes with efficiency. They should also have thorough knowledge on when to seek expert help.
Treating Cuts and Scrapes
Parents should wash their hands before they touch the affected area.
If the wound bleeds, apply pressure with fresh bandage or clean towel till the bleeding stops. Raise the affected area to a high level, if possible. For instance, putting the kid’s arm or leg on a pillow. (Note: If the bleeding doesn’t stop for over 10 minutes, you need to get your child to an emergency room.)
Once the bleeding stops check if there is dirt, glass or any other material clogged in the wound. Try to flush it out with cold water. If that doesn’t help, use tweezers for lifting out the debris carefully. (Note: If there is something deeply penetrated or something large stuck in, don’t try to remove it. It might increase the bleeding. Your child needs immediate professional aid. Also, an important point to note is that the tweezers should be sterile before you use it. For sterilizing it, you need to take some alcohol on a cotton swab and rub it on the tweezers.)
Wash the wound with antiseptic and pat it dry. Keep the wound open and let it dry.
How to Soothe Down the Pain?
If your child is in extreme pain, give him paracetamol or ibuprofen in smaller doses. However, it is recommended that you should never self-diagnose and give any medicine to the kid, even if they are OTC drugs. A doctor’s consultation is essential. Never give him an aspirin as it can cause Reye's syndrome. It is a rare condition, but can be harmful.
Times when You would need Doctor’s Assistance
If the wound is on your toddler’s face. Wounds on face can leave visible scars.
If an animal or another child, bites your child and tears the skin. These wounds need to be treated by an expert.
Deep punctured wounds or cuts by harmful objects. For instance, getting pricked by a rusted nail would need tetanus injection immediately.
Signs of infection, like pus, redness, oozes, swells could need expert help. Antibiotics are prescribed in these cases.
Warm wounds.
Take your Child to Emergency Care if
He continues to bleed for more than 10 minutes
Your child needs stitches
Wounds are embedded with debris
A large material is stuck on the skin
When do Cuts need Stitches?
Sometimes due to cosmetic reasons, cuts need to be stitched. Your child could need stitches for:
Deep and open cuts, especially with jagged edges
Cuts which are longer than half an inch
Cuts on faces or areas which are used for stretching and moving. For instance, palm side or fingers.
It is best to get your child’s wound stitched within 8 hours after the cut. This would avoid risks of serious infections and prevent scarring. Get a doctor to examine your child’s wound, as soon as you feel that he needs a stitch. Be aware of these signs that indicate an emergency and take actions accordingly. Remember all this while, you need to keep your cool and respond effectively; without hurrying into anything. You also need to provide emotional support to the kid, as he will be in pain. Read more
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Problems in Pregnancy that No One Will Tell You About
When I was pregnant, it was all about the excitement and joy for the new baby amongst the family members. I did not have any major health issues as such, but there were a few problems which seemed so minor, yet they brought the most discomfort.
Listed below are a few problems that I had experienced and also how I dealt with them.
1. Blocked Nose/Runny Nose
This was a major problem for me. I had a blocked nose alternating with a runny one throughout the nine months. I used to literally sit up in the nights. Blame those pregnancy hormones for this sleep altering condition!
How I Dealt with it
I used steam inhalation to relieve the block three to four times a day. Normal saline nasal sprays were also helpful. I also avoided blowing my nose too hard as it sometimes leads to bleeding.
Point to Remember: If all these don't work for you, please consult your doctor for medications.
2. Heartburn/Indigestion
I had this problem from the very early months of pregnancy. My elders used to tell me that the baby is growing hair, that's why you have heartburn. I chose NOT to reply to them.
How I Dealt with it
I asked my doctor. He explained that acidity is common in the earlier months due to the change in the hormonal levels. And indigestion occurs in the later months due to the growing baby pushing up the stomach.
He prescribed antacids and advised to take small meals at frequent intervals and avoid fatty/spicy foods.
3. Leg cramps/ Backache
These occurred after the second trimester. Leg cramps were really horrible. And backache due to the increasing weight; both mine and the baby's.
How I Dealt with it
I used to lie down on a flat mattress and do some stretching exercises of the leg. I also used to apply hot water bags to ease the pain and cramps.
If you have help at home, then you can ask someone to massage your legs as well. Nothing more relaxing than that!
4. Piles
Nothing more irritating and embarrassing than this! It occurs because of the increasing pressure of the growing baby on the veins of the rectum. As a result, they become dilated, swollen and inflamed. And if you have constipation, the straining will cause these veins to bleed.
How I Dealt with it
I asked my doctor.
He suggested the following tips to prevent piles or if you already have it; to minimise the discomfort:
Have a high fibre diet with fresh fruits and veggies. Avoid processed foods.
Drink lots of water.
Do some kegel exercises.
Do not stand for a long time. Keep moving. Standing increases the pressure.
Avoid straining in the toilet.
If none of these work, then stool softeners can be prescribed.
Point to Remember: Piles in pregnancy are temporary. They go away once the baby is out. So not to worry.
Hope this article would be of some help to all the expecting mothers out there! Happy pregnancy and happy parenting!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Working parents Dilemma and how to overcome the working from home situations
Ever caught up in a office call and your toddler demanding his favorite TV time or your spouse in a video call and your little munchkin giving a cute pose in the camera in his diaper. I have and I am sure many of the working parents would have faced this
situation. But how do we manage this, do we sometimes end up giving our child a mobile phone to play with or see a video when we are unable to pay him the attention he is seeking. And feeling guilty later about how much screen time is good or bad ?
Let's talk about some of such dilemmas and situations that have increased exponentially specially while working from home.
1. You are on screen, they are on screen
My son was 18 months when the lockdown happened. He was growing watching us working from home on our laptopfor atleast 8 hrs a day and taking callsindefinitely, thanks to my husbands consulting job. I feel by the time he turned 2 he started
feeling that it's fine to look at the screen for when you are awake and during the day, all the time and every time.
So he started asking for more TV and more mobile games and honestly it's not his mistake.
What we did ? Mostly we wouldassign TV time, mobile time for maximum an hour or hour and a half a day and rest of the day was split between, reading time, drawing time, Toy room time, hide and seek time and he started enjoying these equally.
2. Healthy food orjunk munching !
While we were working from home and stayed locked down we had to take care of all the fancy food cravings, we started baking more often and frying also at home. There were more pastas and cakes and chhole bhature. We gained a lot of weight and didn't
realize that our kid was also craving for such food more and more.
Finally we had to detox so we took Navratri as an inspiration and went ongluten free Navratri diet for 9 days. Made buckwheat muffins, carrot muffins and used more fruits in our diet. Later on startedincluding more raw and fresh food instead
of frying. Reduced sugar intake and kept baking only to special occasions.
3. More video calls less meaningful talks
While we both were busy working we thought talking to grandparents is a great way of increasing social skills as well as learning, but we realized after few months that the kid started taking the video call for granted. And would be very moody. He would
consider it as work, something like we do on our screens. Lol!
So we started normal calling and that gave him opportunity to listen more and talk more instead of just flaunting and showing off his dancing skills every day.
4. And lastly, should we hire a help or not
When this covid situation hit all of us, we were glad that we will be able to spend more time with our sonand witness all the major milestones but we forgot that we were working after all and we may not be able to give him much of quality time during
the day . That made us think of hiring a help for him but wewould beat ourselves for having this thought, considering it as a lost opportunity.
We tackled this situation by talking to someone at home and requesting some of our close familyand cousins who were relatively free and come spend sometime with us so we would also be sure of someone close taking care of our child and it was not
an outsider. It was a win win situation as we would spend as much time and would not completely rely also.
Hope many of you would relate to this and would have tackled these sitautaions in some more creative ways that o would love to hear.
Happy parenting !
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
12 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
11 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
8 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
8 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
3 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
1 hour ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. yes
whenever you give any new food to the child you have to take care of two things.
you should give in small quantity. if the child doesn't develop any digestion problem in next 24 hours to 48 hours and the child is able to digest that food then that food can be given again.
but if the child is not able to digestc or there is some problem with vomiting or loose motion or colic pain then kindly avoid that food.
we wait for 2 to 3 days to confirm whether the child is having any problem to that particular food or not
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