JAMIESON EXPERTISE

Kick Start the School Year

Aug 16, 2011     Posted by: Michelle E. Latinsky BASc., RD

Breakfast gets them started
It’s not just a cliché – breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. After fasting overnight, a morning meal provides the brain with the fuel it needs to run efficiently, affecting both memory and concentration, and that’s essential when it comes to the challenges of school. In fact, in 2005, a review published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported that children and adolescents who consume breakfast had higher levels of cognitive function in relation to memory, as well as better test grades and attendance at school. 

For the most brainpower, provide a nutrient-dense breakfast that’s high in fibre. A wholesome breakfast may include whole grain toast, hot or cold cereal and fruit, and low fat dairy products or soy beverages. 

Lunch keeps them going
A healthy lunch feeds the brain, too. It enhances memory, mood and concentration so kids can focus — even flourish — throughout the afternoon. The mid-day meal is also an opportunity to give the kids an extra serving or two of vegetables and fruit, along with whole grains, dairy and protein (meat or nuts, legumes or soy).
 
Fish is food for thought
Fish is often called brain food, and here’s why: Cold-water species, such as salmon, halibut and tuna, are rich in the health-promoting omega-3 essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA in particular, occurs in high concentrations in the brain.

Look for a formula that’s high in DHA, like Jamieson Omega-3 Brain™. Made with a purified blend of pure fish oil, it contains omega-3s in their natural triglyceride form, which is more easily absorbed and used by the body than the semi-synthetic ethyl esters.

Numerous studies have shown that omega-rich fish and fish oil supplements are important for childhood learning and behaviour. The March 2008 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, for example, reported that sufficient DHA intake during pregnancy supports visual, cognitive and motor development in infants. Researchers in the 2005 Oxford-Durham Fish Oil Study, published in Pediatrics, found that children with learning difficulties demonstrated improvement in reading, spelling and behaviour when they took a fish oil supplement.
 
A supplement will do the trick
Many health experts recommend two servings of fish each week – but that’s not so easy when your kids are fussy eaters, or if they just don’t like the taste of fish. Fortunately, a fish oil supplement will give them the same advantages.
 
Look for a formula that’s high in DHA, like Jamieson Omega-3 Brain™. Made with a purified blend of pure fish oil, it contains omega-3s in their natural triglyceride form, which is more easily absorbed and used by the body than the semi-synthetic ethyl esters. Give them their fish oil supplements with food to avoid any fishy aftertaste.
 
The right bedtime is essential
Getting a good night’s sleep is as important as a healthy diet. It can be challenging because busy schedules lead to later bedtimes and earlier mornings. Yet without enough sleep, kids can’t function properly – they may even get stressed or feel drowsy, which affects learning and behaviour.
 
When kids get the sleep their bodies crave, they have a greater attention span, and that promotes better learning. They also interact better with the world around them, including their friends and teachers. Good relationships contribute to a positive school experience.
 
So how much sleep do your kids need? Generally, school-age children need 10 to 12 hours, although everyone’s a little different. If you suspect your child isn’t getting enough sleep, now is the right time for a new schedule.