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Today, more kids are receiving lower grades, with almost half of American school children being behind their grade level. There are many causes for this decline in performance, one of them being unfulfilled nutritional needs.

Today’s convenience-based diet often lacks essential nutrients that kids need to thrive in school. As parents become busier with work and daily activities, processed foods become a more feasible choice.

However, consuming processed, unhealthy foods will lead to a loss in concentration, energy spikes and crashes, and ultimately worse academic performance. As the academic year approaches, how can we break away from this pattern and make our kids consume brain-boosting food instead? Read on and learn simple tips and tricks you can try at home!

The Learning Deficit and Empty Calories

We’ve mentioned that people nowadays rely more on convenient food that is mostly processed. Today’s fast food diet mainly consists of high calories without any beneficial nutrients, which we call empty calories. Consumption of an unhealthy diet is linked to childhood obesity, but what most parents don’t realize is that it also affects kids’ test scores.

These are some of the most commonly known culprits that can damage your kids’ academic performance:

• Sugar-filled beverages or food. Canned juice or soft drinks might seem like a good energy boost when you’re experiencing fatigue, but it’s also kids’ number one choice to accompany their lunch. Convenient food like cereal and premade granolas are also something people add to kids’ backpacks. Unfortunately, they’re filled with added sugar that can wreak havoc on energy levels. They’ll experience sugar highs and lows, which would distract them from paying attention in class. 

• Refined carbohydrates in processed grains. Highly processed carbs such as white flour can be detrimental to brain development. They generally have a very high Glycemic Index, which could cause a spike in your blood sugar and cause similar effects to soft drinks.

• Food is high in trans fat. Fried food, margarine, ready-made cakes, and chips are some examples of foods high in trans fat. This type of food is shown to cause memory decline and lower brain volume. Instead of trans fats, choose healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids present in fish or nuts.

• Processed food lacking in fiber and high in fat. A frozen meal or other processed food might seem like a good idea, but it will do you more harm than good. Processed food is lacking in fiber, which is not just good for your digestive system but also brain development. Fiber affects the gut-brain axis, which is essential for cognitive development in children.

Hidden Deficiencies: Essential Nutrients Your Kids Need for Development

Most processed food is lacking essential nutrients, such as protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Vitamins and minerals play a role in reducing inflammation, which could cause cognitive decline. Protein is the building blocks of the body and fatty acids are vital for brain function and development.

Now that we know which food to avoid, let’s find out which nutrients we should incorporate and where we can find them:

• Omega-3: Healthy fats that can improve learning and memory. They’re available in foods such as fish, nuts, and dietary supplements.

• Fiber: Fiber affects the microbiota of the gut-brain axis, which can improve cognitive capacity and reduce cognitive decline. You can find them in oats, pulses, fruits, and vegetables.

• Iron: Important mineral for cognitive development and brain functions. It’s available in red meat, beans, fruits, and fortified drinks or cereals.

• Vitamin K: Helps by boosting brain power and enhancing cognitive functions. Vitamin K is present in green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and cereal grains.

• Protein: Proteins provide amino acids that make up our neurotransmitter that carries messages from one cell to another. It helps you enhance attentiveness, sustain focus, and maintain overall cognitive function. You can gain more protein by consuming beans, eggs, lean meats, soy products, fish, nuts, and seeds.

• Selenium: An antioxidant that’s critical in protecting your brain from inflammation and external stress. Selenium is present in seafood, meat, poultry, and grains.

Fostering Your Child’s Independence to Prepare Their Meals

Fostering your kids’ interest in cooking is an important aspect of their personal development. Aside from giving them an essential life skill, it also leads them toward healthier eating habits, a broader palate, and more independence.

So on occasions where you’re unable to prepare food for them, they’ll be able to whip up their lunch or dinner easily. Instead of relying on delivery food or the cafeteria, you’ll have more control by providing them with nutrient-rich ingredients in your kitchen. There’s also nothing more satisfying than eating a meal you prepare yourself, which means your kids are more likely to enjoy their creations.

Here’s how you can get them more engaged in the kitchen and start their culinary journey:

• Start at the grocery store and let them pick their favorite vegetables or other ingredients. This way they’ll be more interested in making and consuming their meals.

• Plan age-appropriate cooking activities. You need to plan the menus according to your kids’ abilities. Start with easy ones, such as smoothies or pancakes to avoid them getting overwhelmed. Then assist them in making more complete meals, such as sandwiches or salads.

• Make it fun by turning cooking into a game or a creative activity. For example, prepare a blank pizza and let them choose their toppings. Your kids can experiment with flavors and textures to figure out what works for them in the future.

• Invest in a good cooking book for kids as a reference or even a cooking camp. They’ll have peers to exchange ideas with and be eager to share their knowledge in the kitchen.

Another way to make things easier for them to get quick, on-the-go nutrition is with easy-to-prepare smoothie mixes. For example, try this delicious nutritional mix from Rockin Wellness in chocolate cacao or mocha flavors.

Get them an automatic subscription, so they never run out or have to remember to ask you to re-order! The Rockin Wellness subscription has these delivery options: once every month, 6 weeks, or 2 months.

This way you can feel good knowing they are having superfood nutrition every day!

Rockin Wellness: Easy Solution to Boost Your Kids Cognitive Development

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to boost your kids’ cognitive development, then you should check out Rockin Wellness. Their line of superfood shakes is delicious, nutrient-dense, and easy to incorporate into any recipe. It’s the perfect complement to your kids' culinary journey.

Created by Seth Luker in 2011, the company is a true pioneer in vegan superfoods. Seth was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer and decided to create a superfood shake that could energize him throughout his treatment. He continued to work his day job as a tour manager for an indie rock group and amazed people by staying strong, healthy, and perceptive. More people are interested in his superfood shakes, which encouraged Seth to start Rockin Wellness.

Seth formulated his secret recipe to make sure the mix is healthy, but also delicious for the public to enjoy so that people are more inclined to make positive changes in their lives. Rockin Wellness became one of the fastest-growing vegan brands with millions of followers on Facebook. Seth lost his battle in December of 2018, but his passion lives on through his wife, Allison Luker.

Allison has now dedicated her life to keeping his mission alive by listening to loyal customers and creating more products that will nourish both body and mind. The company has expanded its offerings, but the mission remains the same: providing healthy, delicious options for everyone. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, Rockin Wellness is more than just a brand - but a legacy of health and vitality. 

A Rockin Favorite: Vegan Chocolate Cacao Nutritional Mix

Creating a balanced meal for your kids can be a hassle, so you might be wondering whether or not an all-in-one solution is available. Thankfully, Rockin Wellness has the Vegan Chocolate Cacao Nutritional Mix. A favorite among everyone, the delicious superfood will make the pickiest eater intrigued. It constantly receives 5-star reviews from consumers, as people love its taste, health benefits, and quality. Moreover, kids love classic flavors like chocolate, so there’s no way they’ll say no to it.

The Chocolate Cacao Mix is also vegan, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free. It’s ideal for parents dealing with allergies and food intolerance. Its ingredients include raw cacao beans, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, goji berries, brown rice protein, yerba mate, and maca root. The nutrient-dense ingredients created a product with all essential elements for cognitive development, such as vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, omega 3-6-9, fiber, and protein.

The three main benefits of the Chocolate Cacao Mix are energy, focus, and mood:

• Energy: Gives your kids an energy boost that lets them stay active until they’re finished with school.

• Focus: The protein, vitamins, and minerals help your kids to be more engaged and concentrate during class.

• Mood: Healthy fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and fibers help regulate their mood to keep them learning and staying motivated.

How can your kids incorporate the mix into their favorite recipes? Here are some simple recipes for your kids to try:

• Make it into a shake: Add 1 scoop of the mix into water, plant-based milk, or juice.

• Make it into a smoothie: Add 1 scoop of the mix to your favorite smoothie recipe.

• Make it into baked goods: Incorporate 1 scoop of the mix into your dry batter.

• Make it into a yogurt bowl: Mix 1 scoop into a bowl of yogurt with fresh fruits or oats.

* 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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