By Barbara Hillary, PhD
Have you wondered if the food your children eat every day might affect their behavior?
The Food for the Brain Foundation in England carried out a survey on over 10,000 British school-aged children, ages 6 through 16, in an attempt to compare aspects of their behavior with academic performance, score tests, and health. The results revealed a significant association between diet, behavior, and school performance. The outcomes of the survey show that 1 in 3 children had problems with attention, tantrums, mood swings, and almost half of them constantly craved sugar.
Key findings of the survey:
- The average intake of dark green vegetables is only 1 serving a week!
- Average intake of seeds/nuts is half a serving a week.
- Average sugar servings in or added to food and drinks is 3.5 a day.
- Children who eat diets high in fried and processed foods are three times more likely to be badly behaved.
- Children who eat vegetables, oily fish, nuts, and seeds do best in school.
- Children with better diets have higher test scores.
The survey found that fruits and vegetables were associated with better behavior than fried foods. Children eating more fruits and vegetables were twice as likely to have better behavior. Processed foods, such as fast food, sweets, and meats, were more likely to contribute to behavioral problems. About 44% of children consuming processed foods had bad behavior on most days, according to the survey.
The best foods for good academic performance were dark green leafy vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, oily fish, and water. The survey showed that children who included these foods in their diets have 11% higher test scores. The take home message form this survey is to increase your family's intake of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and decrease the amount of processed foods eaten during the week.
Brain boosting breakfasts to keep your child full:
- Oatmeal with 1 tablespoon ground seeds (flax, sesame, pumpkin, sunflower), or nuts, and chopped fresh fruit.
- Wholegrain toast with peanut butter and sugar free jam.
- Poached, boiled, or scrambled eggs with wholegrain toast or pita served with sweet cherry tomatoes or low sugar ketchup.
- Sliced fruits, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and wholegrain toast cut into fun shapes with a pastry cutter.
Brain boosting lunch tips:
- Offer raw vegetables (carrot, cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby corn, celery, broccoli, radishes), rice cakes, or fruit.
- As dip, use a small container of hummus, low-fat cream cheese, or yogurt.
- Serve dried fruit and nuts.
Have you wondered if the food your children eat every day might affect their behavior?
The Food for the Brain Foundation in England carried out a survey on over 10,000 British school-aged children, ages 6 through 16, in an attempt to compare aspects of their behavior with academic performance, score tests, and health. The results revealed a significant association between diet, behavior, and school performance. The outcomes of the survey show that 1 in 3 children had problems with attention, tantrums, mood swings, and almost half of them constantly craved sugar.
Key findings of the survey:
- The average intake of dark green vegetables is only 1 serving a week!
- Average intake of seeds/nuts is half a serving a week.
- Average sugar servings in or added to food and drinks is 3.5 a day.
- Children who eat diets high in fried and processed foods are three times more likely to be badly behaved.
- Children who eat vegetables, oily fish, nuts, and seeds do best in school.
- Children with better diets have higher test scores.
The survey found that fruits and vegetables were associated with better behavior than fried foods. Children eating more fruits and vegetables were twice as likely to have better behavior. Processed foods, such as fast food, sweets, and meats, were more likely to contribute to behavioral problems. About 44% of children consuming processed foods had bad behavior on most days, according to the survey.
The best foods for good academic performance were dark green leafy vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, oily fish, and water. The survey showed that children who included these foods in their diets have 11% higher test scores. The take home message form this survey is to increase your family's intake of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and decrease the amount of processed foods eaten during the week.
Brain boosting breakfasts to keep your child full:
- Oatmeal with 1 tablespoon ground seeds (flax, sesame, pumpkin, sunflower), or nuts, and chopped fresh fruit.
- Wholegrain toast with peanut butter and sugar free jam.
- Poached, boiled, or scrambled eggs with wholegrain toast or pita served with sweet cherry tomatoes or low sugar ketchup.
- Sliced fruits, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and wholegrain toast cut into fun shapes with a pastry cutter.
Brain boosting lunch tips:
- Offer raw vegetables (carrot, cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby corn, celery, broccoli, radishes), rice cakes, or fruit.
- As dip, use a small container of hummus, low-fat cream cheese, or yogurt.
- Serve dried fruit and nuts.
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