Robin’s Healthy Take: School Lunches by Robin Miller in Back to School, Robin's Healthy Take, August 15, 2011
- Pair egg salad with whole grain crackers for brain-boosting lunch.
Where I live, school starts this week so I need to switch gears from casual summer fare to brain food. Did I just say “brain food?” Yep, it’s true, certain foods actually improve memory, energy, focus and growth. And these delights all fit in one little lunch bag.
When I plan my boys’ lunches, I always remember this: the optimal meal blends protein and complex carbohydrates. Why? For nutrients and fiber, so the food is digested slowly, providing energy and better motor coordination all afternoon (when they typically have recess and PE). Here are some great options and the science behind them:
EGG SALAD WITH WHOLE GRAIN CRACKERS:
Eggs contain choline, a nutrient that helps brain and memory development (choline is vital for the creation of memory stem cells in the brain; more cells = better memory).
Whole grain crackers boast fiber, which helps maintain a steady stream of energy for hours, and B vitamins which, studies show, improve alertness.
