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Getting kids to eat healthy can be challenging, but making sure they receive the right nutrition is important during their growing stages. How can you make sure your kids have a healthy snack and eat it too? Read on to find out how you can make brain-boosting snacks that are nutritious, delicious, and easy to prepare.

Why Nutrition is Important in Your Kids’ Cognitive Development

As kids grow up, young brains need lots of essential nutrients to form and maintain structure. Children’s development is highly dependent on which food they consume, and those who don’t receive adequate intake will likely suffer from impaired cognitive functions.

During their preschool years, kids are going through rapid growth and dynamic developmental changes such as working memory and the ability to focus. This crucial phase will determine their journey in later years in school. If they’re undernourished, they’re more likely to underperform in school and have poor levels of cognition.

So, isn’t giving them a standard diet enough? Well, not really. With today’s industrialized, ultra-processed diet, it turns out that you can be overweight and under-nourished too. Nowadays, most people opt for processed foods as it’s simpler to prepare, especially for busy parents.

Processed foods with unnatural ingredients that are available in the market make kids gain weight without all the essential nutrients. That’s because we don’t recognize the nutritional value of food and instead focus only on caloric intake. Not only should you fulfill the calories, but you’ll have to pay attention to its macronutrient (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and micronutrient (minerals and vitamins) contents.

Parents need a better alternative, and something healthy, tasty, and easy to prepare. Snacks that your kids can safely and happily eat, but still give them all the nourishment they need for their young minds.

Key Nutrients to Nurture Growing Minds

To ensure your kids’ cognitive development is supported, these are the essential nutrients you should look for:

Folic Acid - Folic acid is one of the most important nutrients in cognitive development. Mothers are recommended prenatal folic acid supplements as soon as they want to get pregnant. Folic acid can decrease risks of conditions such as spina bifida and autism spectrum disorders in later life.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - The brain is mainly composed of fats, which is why fat deficiencies can lead to cognitive and behavioral issues in kids. It aids in developments relating to attention, mood, anxiety, and hyperactivity. Aim for healthy fats, instead of fats from processed or deep-fried foods.

Protein - Other essential nutrients that help with the developmental stage in children, proteins are the building blocks of the body. Protein also helps keep their energy levels steady and brain alert, making them more attentive and ready to absorb knowledge at school. Lastly, it supports synaptic strength which is vital for learning and building memory.

Iron - Iron plays a crucial role in the production of hemoglobin, a part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen all over your body. This means it has a crucial role in keeping the normal neurological function and your children’s brains active throughout the day. Lack of iron may lead to sleepiness and decreased cognitive functions.

Complex Carbohydrates - Complex carbohydrates help the body by releasing slow and steady energy instead of fluctuating bursts. It’s especially important for kids because simple carbs could lead to a “sugar rush” followed quickly by a “sugar crash”. With more balanced blood sugar levels, kids can maintain their concentration and become more focused on productive stuff like their studies.

Antioxidants - These micronutrients are usually available in brightly colored fruits and vegetables, protecting the brain from free radical damage and keeping its integrity.

Another point to consider is to avoid allergens and overly-processed foods. Allergens can hinder optimal brain function, so identify them as soon as possible to eliminate them from your children’s diet. Moreover, things like refined sugar and chemical additives can be damaging to kids’ cognitive development.

Tips on Getting Your Kids to Eat Healthy Snacks

Providing your kids with healthy snacks is one thing, but getting them to eat those snacks can be another challenge. There’s no use creating elaborate meals when the food is untouched, so you have to make them more child-friendly. These are some tips you can try to avoid letting your delicious snacks go to waste:

Make healthy foods fun - Children need some time to get used to new things, especially healthy foods. Try adding their favorite condiments or “hiding” your healthy ingredients inside a catchier packaging. Examples are broccoli inside of a chicken nugget or fruits inside their chocolate smoothies.

Involve them in the cooking process - Kids are more interested in things when they’re a part of the process, especially when you let them cook with you. Take them to the supermarket to choose the ingredients, allow them to blend or mix their smoothies with you, or make them help you bake their favorite muffins.

Get creative with your snacks - We eat with our eyes first, and kids are no different. Make a smiley face with your pancakes or shape your granola bars into dinosaurs. Invest in cute cookie cutters, so you can easily prepare them in a hurry.

Leading by example - Be a role model to your kids and eat what they’re eating, because kids learn by observing the people around them. If you have a positive attitude toward the food you eat, your kids will be more likely to try new and healthy things.

Rockin’ Wellness - The Original Vegan Superfood

Rockin’ Wellness was founded by Seth Luker, who was a stage IV colon cancer survivor who wanted to find something that could nourish his body from the inside out during his treatments. He settled on creating vegan, superfood shakes which he brings around when he’s working.

Seth amazed everyone around him as he was still looking strong and healthy throughout his battle with cancer. His friends encouraged Seth to create a health food company, which he did in 2011 when he launched Rockin’ Wellness.

His original superfood shake became the brand’s signature Chocolate Cacao Vegan Shake Mix, still everyone’s favorite until today. Rockin’ Wellness became one of the fastest-growing vegan brands, with millions of followers on Facebook and growing.

What makes Rockin’ Wellness different is that Seth loved talking and interacting with people, hearing of their concerns and health issues. This motivated him to create more products that can solve their problems through nutrition.

Although Seth eventually lost his battle in December of 2018, his passion lives on through his wife, Allison Luker. Allison decided to keep Seth’s legacy going, feeling a deep connection with Rockin’ Wellness and its patrons.

She successfully created unique and innovative products, including Energy Greens, Mushroom Defense Tincture, Collagen Revitalizer, and Liquid Melatonin. Thanks to Allison, Rockin Wellness is still thriving and providing healthy vegan superfoods for you and your loved ones. 

Ingredient Benefits of Rockin Wellness

All of Rockin Wellness’ products are vegan, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Which means they’re safer to consume, especially for kids that have gluten or dairy allergies. If you want your kids to get the most out of their snacks, try opting for one of these brain-boosting products:

Chocolate Cacao Organic Superfood Mix - The signature shake mix is filled with essential protein, omega 3, 6, and 9, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Your kids will be able to maintain their energy level, control their mood, and focus more on their academic tasks.

Vanilla Vegan Protein Superfood Mix - This product is packed with organic and vegan protein such as organic pea, hemp, brown rice, and pumpkin seed protein. These ingredients can balance your kids’ blood sugar level, and provide iron, zinc, B vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber.

Rockin Wellness Energy Greens Organic Superfood Mix - The Green Shake Mix has powerful ingredients such as wheatgrass, barley grass, chlorella, spirulina, kale, kelp, and spinach. It provides vitamins, iron, magnesium, calcium, antioxidants, and protein that can boost energy production and brain functions.

Rockin Wellness Mushroom Defense - An immunity-boosting tincture with mushroom supplements that have protective properties for cognitive performance. 

Product Reviews on Rockin Wellness

Customers love Rockin Wellness’ taste and how it can be easily incorporated into shakes, smoothies, or even plain water. Some have commented that it’s the best-tasting vegan mix they’ve ever tasted. They also appreciate the health and vitality of the products provided.

Most love that the products are made with vegan ingredients and gluten-free, making them safer to consume compared to others. The favorite seems to be its signature Chocolate Cacao Vegan Superfood Mix, due to its taste and energy-boosting ingredients.  

Recipe Inspirations for Snacks with Rockin’ Wellness

Variety is the spice of life, and thankfully one of Rockin Wellness's uniqueness is its versatility. Not only can you mix them in shakes, but you can also blend them, bake them, and mix them into your favorite recipes, which is why it’s a great addition to your kids’ snacks. To get you going, here are some delicious recipe ideas from Rockin Wellness that will keep your little ones satisfied:

Delicious Pancakes and Cupcakes - Create delicious pancakes and cupcakes by adding one scoop of Chocolate Cacao Organic Superfood Mix or Vanilla Vegan Protein Superfood Mix into your batter.

Energizing Smoothie - Create delicious smoothies with bananas, berries, milk, ice, and Energy Greens Organic Superfood Mix. Bananas and berries will mask the greeneries, but your kids will still receive all the nutritional benefits. Add in 1 mL of Mushroom Defense for more benefits.

Easy Overnight Oats - Make your easy overnight oats much healthier by adding a scoop of Rockin Wellness’ Superfood Mix. Don’t forget to include your kids’ favorite fruits to make them enjoy it more.

Crunchy Granola - Make a tasty granola with oats, almonds, coconut flakes, and some Rockin Wellness Superfood Mix.

Do you want more healthy, delicious inspirations? Check out other recipes from Rockin Wellness here.

* In partnership with our friends at Rockin Wellness* Photo courtesy of Rockin Wellness
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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