A smart child is a dream for every parent in general. Before reviewing more about the intelligence of your little baby, Moms need to know what the characteristics of the child are intelligent.
- Grow and develop early
- ntense emotions
- Focus
- Active
- Quick response
Does your child have the five characteristics above? If yes, congratulations! Your children are intelligent from birth. But how if it's not or hasn't been shown by the baby? Let's help children develop their brain by giving them the best nutrition from healthy food. Special nutrition can improve children's intelligence more optimally. Here are some nutrients that can be given to increase the intelligence potential of your child:
- Omega-3 and omega-6
Children need to be given milk that is high in omega 3, 6, and DHA for their optimal intelligence. In addition, Moms can also meet the needs of omega 3 and 6 for her children by giving them various types of fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. To increase the intake of omega-6 fatty acids in children, Moms can give them nuts such as soybeans, almonds, and cashews as a snack. Milk is also currently available for children aged 1 – 3 years who are already enriched with omega 3 an omega 6, this can be a practical choice to meet the daily nutritional needs of children.
- Iron
Children need iron for growth and development. So that, fulfill your child’s iron needs by giving them iron-fortified food like cereals, rice, grains, red meat, and nuts. Not only beneficial to prevent anemia, iron intake can also increase children's intelligence.
- Choline
Choline can help produce DNA while increasing nerve signals in a child's brain. If the flow of the child's brain signals develops optimally, children's brain development will be even more optimal and more complicated. The best source of choline is in eggs. But if the child is allergic to eggs, Moms can provide other choline food sources such as chicken liver, meat, salmon, and milk.
- Vitamin B12
This vitamin is the most important for brain development of children. A study published in the Food and Nutrition Bulletin revealed that children who lack vitamin B12, more susceptible to inflammation and inhibits the speed of nerve impulses in the brain. So, give your child a variety of food sources of vitamin B12 like an eggs, tempeh, soy milk, almond milk, cheddar cheese, or breakfast cereals.
- Folate
Folate is a natural form of vitamin B9 that cannot be produced by the body, so that it can only be obtained from food. Folate is needed to form DNA and strengthen the nervous system in a child's brain during its growth period. To get the benefits of folate, teach your child to eat spinach and broccoli. Green vegetables contain high levels of folate which is good for children's brain development. If your child is still reluctant to eat vegetables, don't be sad. Moms can still fulfill children's folate needs with other sources of folate such as beef liver, chicken meat, tempeh, and seeds.
The child's brain needs to be supported by proper nutrition to ensure its development, especially at an early age. Make sure your baby's daily intake is rich in calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamins B1, B6, B12, and most importantly high in omega 3 and 6.
