Top 10 Foods for a Child's Brain Development

What are the nutrients in fish that make it a brain food?

Docosahexanoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is one of the components of brain tissue. DHA may influence neurotransmitters in the brain, helping brain cells to communicate better with each other. The brain is made up of more than 50% fat, 25-35% of which is made up of the essential fatty acid DHA.

“DHA-rich food sources include human milk, cold water fatty fishes such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel. Other sources include seafood like oysters and shrimps,” says the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, a member of the SingHealth group.

Methylmercury in fish: points to note

In recent years, there have been concerns about the levels of methylmercury in fish, especially the effect on foetal development, infants and children.

Methylmercury exposure can adversely affect a baby's growing brain and nervous system, leading to effects on the child’s:

cognitive thinking,
memory,
attention span,
language skills,
fine motor skills and
visual spatial skills.

Hence, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends to have 1 to 2 serves of fish a week, from the age of 2 years (1 serve = 2 ounces for children 4 to 7 years, or 4 ounces for older children).

In addition, the US FDA also recommends that infants, young children and pregnant women avoid the following fishes with high mercury levels:

Swordfish
King mackerel
Spanish mackerel (Batang), which can be consumed safely when limited to 1 serve a week.
Shark
Tilefish
Big eye tuna

Other varieties of tuna are lower in mercury.
1 serving of yellow fin and albacore (or white) tuna can be consumed once a week, and canned light tuna (including skipjack) can be consumed 2 to 3 times a week.
If you are uncertain of the type of tuna in your canned tuna, limit to one serving a week.

Is there any special cooking method to retain the nutrients in fish?

Omega-3 fatty acids are relatively stable in whole foods. However, deep-frying the fish may destroy the Omega-3 fats significantly. Baking, broiling and steaming causes minimal Omega-3 fat losses.

For overall good health (both for obesity prevention and for heart health), it is encouraged that foods be prepared using healthy cooking methods such as

boiling,
steaming,
pan-frying
baking and
grilling.

It is also important to cook using mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated oils, e.g. olive, canola, sunflower, soybean, peanut and rice bran.

Other sources of Omega-3

If your child does not eat fish or is vegetarian, he can obtain plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, known as alpha-linolenic acid, mainly from canola oil, soybean oil, linseeds (flaxseeds) and walnuts.

If you decide to use a supplement, be mindful of the following:

Choose a supplement that is appropriate for your child’s age. Always check the instructions on the package and do not exceed the suggested dosage.
Avoid giving capsules for children under 3 years of age as they are a choking hazard. Omega-3 supplements now come in gummies or liquid form.
Purchase supplements made from refined oils from the flesh of fish instead of fish livers. Cod liver oils, commonly consumed by many toddlers in Singapore, contain fish oil, vitamin D and pre-formed vitamin A (retinol). Pre-formed Vitamin A (retinol) is fat-soluble and excessive intake can lead to dizziness, nausea, headaches, coma and even death. Different brands contain varying amounts of Vitamin A. The Singapore Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 250 mcg for children aged 1 to 2 years, 300 mcg for 3 to 6 years, 400 mcg for 7 to 10 years and 575 mcg for 10 to 12 years.
If your child is vegetarian, you can consider offering an omega-3 supplement made from microalgae oils.

How does a healthy diet during a child’s early years assist in his brain development? Why?

A healthy balanced diet comprising foods from all major food groups is essential for optimal growth which in turn aids the child’s intellectual growth. This is because the early years of life are characterised by rapid growth and development.

“A well-nourished child will have the energy to respond to and learn from the stimuli in their environment,” says our experts.

What other essential nutrients contribute to the brain development of a child from toddler to preschooler age?

Iron is another nutrient important for brain development and cognitive performance. Iron in foods is found in two forms, heme and non-heme iron.

Sources of heme-rich iron are generally of animal origin such as meat, poultry and fish. Heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body.

Non-heme iron food sources include

grains
vegetables
dried fruits such as raisins and apricots
iron-fortified products such as cereals and breads.

A 1-2 year old child needs ½ a serving (45g) of meat and alternatives a day, while a 3-6 year old child requires 1 serving (90g) of meat and alternatives a day.

To help increase non-heme iron absorption, vitamin-C rich foods like fresh fruit and lightly-cooked vegetables are also encouraged with meals.

Choline has been shown to play a significant role in the fetal and infant brain development, affecting the parts of the brain that are involved in memory and life-long learning abilities.

Choline like DHA, is also found in human milk. Other food sources of choline include meat, poultry, fish, egg yolk and wheat germ.

What about antioxidants – what role do they play in aiding brain development? What are the sources of antioxidants?

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidant vitamins, which protect the brain from oxidative damage by free radicals.

Different fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of micronutrients, so it is important to consume a variety! As some antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C are water-soluble and destroyed by heat, cut your vegetables after (not before) washing, and cook them lightly.

A common question in many parent's mind is, "Are there foods that are good for my child’s brain development?"

Our dieticians share foods that are good for the brain, and suggests preparation methods that will not destroy the brain-boosting nutrients in these foods.