A common question among parents is: What can be done to help my child concentrate better?

Adequate sleep, regular physical activity and eating a well-balanced diet all have a role to play in this.

“However, when it comes to eating specific foods to boost brain power, the evidence is inconclusive,” says Dietitian Ethel Lim, Nutrition and Dietetics Department at KK Women’s and Children's Hospital (KKH), a member of the SingHealth group.

However, there are some food tips and specific nutrients that can help improve focus and support brain development.

5 Food tips to help improve concentration

1. Don't skip breakfast

Your body would have been fasting overnight, including your brain. Not having breakfast means that your mind may be running on second gear, leaving you with poor concentration and feeling tired.

A simple breakfast such as wholemeal bread with peanut butter and a cup of low fat milk is sufficient to help to fuel the body.

2. Choose wholegrain foods instead of refined sugars

This includes:

  • Wholemeal bread

  • Brown rice and pasta

  • Soba noodles

  • Brown rice beehoon

Wholegrain Foods

Wholegrain foods are more likely to help maintain steady blood sugar levels, keeping your brain well-fuelled and preventing energy slumps.

Limit your intake of sugary drinks and candy to a minimal as these provide quick, temporary energy with minimal nutritional value.

3. Stay hydrated to keep fatigue at bay

Keep a bottle or cup of plain water with you as you study. Low fat milk is also a good option.

While sweetened beverages may be a source of fluid, they provide you with little nutrition and you may end up feeling more tired than usual due to a dip in blood sugars after a while.

And while it may be true that caffeinated drinks may help increase your alertness, too much caffeine may cause you to be more irritable and jittery than usual, and may also affect your sleep routine.

Hydrate with Water

4. Eat iron-rich foods

Iron is a component of red blood cells which carries oxygen to the brain. Hence, not having enough iron may cause anaemia, resulting in tiredness despite having adequate rest.

Teenage girls tend to be more at risk of having low iron stores due to menstruation, therefore it is important that iron-rich foods are consumed regularly, if not on a daily basis.

This includes haem sources such as:

  1. Lean red meat

  2. Fish

  3. Chicken

Heme Iron-Rich Foods

And non-haem sources such as:

  1. Eggs

  2. Iron-fortified breakfast cereals

  3. Dark green leafy vegetables

  4. Nuts

  5. Dried fruits

Non-Heme Iron-Rich Foods   

Remember to also consume vitamin C-rich foods such as fresh fruit with your meals to enhance the iron absorption from non-haem sources.

5. Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet 

This nutrient has been associated with a lower risk of dementia and an improved focus and memory.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:

  1. Fatty fish (such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna)

  2. Walnuts

  3. Chia seeds

  4. Flax seeds

Aim to eat two servings of fatty fish every week.

Omega-3 Fatty Foods

Ref: G25 (ed)

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