Give Your Kids The Gift of Brain Power This School Year

As summer turns to fall and education resumes across the country, as parents, we have some real challenges to face. Not only with the added component of Coronavirus altering the way we tackle childcare and homeschooling, but also in creating a set schedule for our children, guiding their learning and ensuring that they receive food that powers their young minds!

What is Brain Power Food?

Simply put, this is food that provides rich nutrients that stimulate and sustain cognitive function. It is tried and true that a plant-based diet removed from saturated fats, sugars, and gluten is the strongest aid in cognitive function, while also sustaining the appetite throughout the day. These foods are often ignored or overlooked because historically, we crave sugars, wheat, fats, and salts. Yet those cravings are literally the worst substances for the human body!

Admittedly, to enjoy a plant-based diet without being considered vegan, you can still consider lean meats such as fish and some poultry as a small part of your diet. The goal is to minimize your meat consumption to a fraction of your diet while focusing on those leafy greens and other rich sources of proteins to receive the protein and fat you need to thrive. If you’re a parent with a desire to feed your children the very best food that will keep your little ones engaged, happy and healthy all day long, then look no further!

The Good Stuff

You know that feeling of deep fulfillment you experience after downing a green juice or sipping on your favorite power smoothie? Well, research shows that there’s a real connection between a positive mood and healthy food. As years of research indicates, the very best brain foods also double as the best protectors of heart and blood vessels while stimulating cell development and enhancing mental state. So how can you guarantee this state of bliss each and every day through diet alone?

Here’s our cheat-sheet of all the best Brain-Powered picks to elevate your mind, body, and soul through delicious plant-based food:

Green Machines

These foods are all super rich in nutrients such as Vitamin K, folate, lutein, as well as beta carotene (which converts into vitamin A in our bodies and promotes good vision and eye health, a strong immune system, and healthy skin). Here are some of the top leafy greens that should be introduced into a brain-powered planet-based diet:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Collards
• Broccoli
• Avocados

Berry Love

We love berries. They taste delicious, offer a guilt-free natural sweetness, and seem to lift our mood almost instantly with each bite. Why is that?

“With a high content of antioxidants known as flavonoids, blueberries help activate brain pathways associated with better cognition and less cellular aging. Blueberries and blueberry juice are associated with having a more positive mood.” – Cara Rosenblum, Washington Post.

Fun fact: flavonoids are also what give berries such vibrant, beautiful color.

So what kinds of berries are best?

• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

All About Omega-3s

Fish are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids and provide the body with a great source of healthy unsaturated fats (which are understood to lower the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease). Scientists recommend buying varieties of fish that are low in mercury (Salmon, Cod, Tuna) and to limit your weekly fish intake to roughly twice per week. If you and your family have adopted a vegan diet, you can see about integrating terrestrial omega-3 sources such as flaxseeds, avocados, and walnuts into your diet for those fatty omegas. To reiterate

• Salmon
• Cod
• Tuna
• Flaxseeds
• Avocados
• Walnuts

Nuts About Nuts.

Nuts (especially salted) are not only a great snack and instant source of electrolytes, but also a great source of protein and healthy fats, making them a fantastic replacement for meat. Cashews have a great flavor that a lot of vegans use to replace normal diary products with like milk and cheese. The best nuts are:

• Cashews
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Pecans
• Macadamia Nuts

Now that you’ve got a list of all the high-protein, healthy foods and greens, you can begin to integrate them into your meals for you and your whole family to enjoy. Powering your kids with brain food will help them stay focused, well-fed, and energetic throughout the day!

For more help with meal planning, head over to elivefood.com for some inspiration on plant-powered dishes, vegan alternatives to American classics, and for an assortment of ready-to-order mouth-watering vegan cashew cheesecakes! Founder Julie Atri’s ayurvedic background compliments her plant-based dishes by elevating her food and providing an expert understanding of the vegan food industry. Don’t hesitate to order the best plant-based products today!