From Washington Pediatrics

 

Your kids have spent the year learning and the big testing days are now quickly approaching. To get the most out of that knowledge, the brain needs fuel from food to help with memory and concentration. Stop by Washington Pediatrics on Tuesday to learn how to help your child overcome any breakfast barriers and find out tips on what foods to serve before the tests to help your child score their best.

On Tuesday, Washington Pediatrics’ Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Andrea Nikolai will be on hand to give quick and easy ideas, discuss foods that could provide the most benefits, answer questions and provide an on-the-go breakfast.

“Breakfast has been proven over and over to help improve test scores,” Nikolai said. “Kids who eat breakfast have sharper memories, larger vocabularies, and faster processing. Ensuring your child has a nutritious breakfast is something you can do to help your child on the tests.”

Nikolai suggests serving a 1-2-3 breakfast, a breakfast made of three food groups, such as a protein, a grain and a fruit or vegetable, to get an ideal combination of nutrients to keep energy up and hunger at bay. Additionally, certain foods have benefits that might be especially helpful before testing.

“You may have heard of the benefits of blueberries. They are a rich source of anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that give these berries their vivid blue color. Research suggests these antioxidants have the ability to enhance memory and help in decision making. Adding them to your child’s oatmeal, pancake or smoothie might give them just the brain-boost they need. Blueberries are just one of the foods that may provide benefits especially helpful for testing.”

To learn more brain-boosting foods or get quick breakfast ideas, stop by May 19, or contact Andrea Nikolai by calling Washington Pediatrics at 252-946-4134 or emailing amnikolai@gmail.com.

Washington Pediatrics, P.A., has served children and their families in Beaufort and the surrounding counties since 1955. Currently employing five board-certified pediatricians, two physician assistants, two staff psychologists and a dietitian, the staff specializes in the management of well and sick infants and children through age 18 years.