BRAIN FOODS FEEDING AT THE “GOLDEN YEARS”

BRAIN FOODS FEEDING AT THE “GOLDEN YEARS”

It is important to know every parent, that the process of development and growth of a child’s brain starts since he was in the womb, until the child is 3 years old. In these times of brain nerve cells developing very rapidly. If at this time the baby does not get their nutritional needs, deficiencies will not be fulfilled in the future. Therefore it is important to be able to meet the balanced nutritional needs of this age.

Keep in mind, there are two stages of the golden years children: the first, from conception to 9 month old baby in the womb. Baby’s health is in optimal condition can only be detected immediately after birth, which is characterized by a normal birth weight, Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (child directly seek the mother’s nipple), and the child was crying. Second, calculated from birth to 2 years.

When a child is born, a new brain reaches 60 percent growth, and when he reaches 2 years old, his brain reached 80 percent. The more he grew to 14-15 years, until the development of the brain reaches 90 percent. Surely this is determined by comparing the physical progress and the ability of the child according to the child’s growth chart. To achieve optimal potential brain and physical growth, it needs proper nutrition and balanced, as well as stimulation to the brain.

Intake child for the second golden age is crucial for children. Required parental willingness and hard work to ensure your child gets the proper and balanced nutrition. What are the requirements?

The food is best and right for 0-6 months old baby is breastfed. Infants aged 6 months can be introduced to solid foods according to ability and age. For example, team rice, juice, and more. The more variety of foods are introduced to children, more varied menu, the better the impact on the fulfillment of nutrients.

Rapid growth in the age of the children require additional consumption builder substances (foods containing protein) and control (food containing vitamins and minerals). Increased activity requires the addition of an energy source (food containing carbohydrates and fats). Growth requires more mental builder substances, especially for the growth of brain cells very quickly.

Marzuki Ir Iskandar, MTP, Nutritionist Association of Indonesia said that carbohydrates should meet 55-60 percent, while 15-20 percent protein, 25-30 percent fat, and the rest vitamins. Carbohydrates can be obtained through foods such as tubers, corn, and wheat. While animal and vegetable protein can be obtained from fish, soy (tofu and tempeh), milk, and cheese. Fat derived from animal and vegetable is also important to be met by sources of essential fats are also known as smart fats (DHA, AA, Omega-3 and Omega-6). Vitamins can be obtained from fruits and vegetables, as well as the morning sun, so Ir Marzuki presented at the seminar “Brain Food for The Golden Years”, Friday (24/7) in Jakarta.

What is the best food for the brain that must be met? Ir Marzuki, who is usually called Mr. Uki, outlines, for the Omega-3, can be obtained from pumpkin machetes, cottonseed oil, and nuts. As for Omega-6 can be obtained from corn, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and the growth of milk enriched with essential fatty earlier. As for DHA can be obtained through the salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, sesame oil, lemon oil, sunflower seeds, walnuts, olives, and others.

The best food for the brain protein is tyrosine and tryptophan, which served as a messenger to the brain and message processing. This material can be obtained from eggs, milk growth has enriched both of these, fish, fisheries, white meat (poultry meat), red meat, and grains such as nuts and processed products (tempeh, tofu, and oncom).

Mr. Uki also expressed the importance of mental strength 9 key minerals, namely iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and boron. This substance ensures smooth flow to the brain messages throughout the nervous system and brain. Seven vitamins are also very important for the brain are: vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and biotin, plus vitamin C.

Do not forget also functions vegetables. Colors in vegetables may imply abortion. Colorful food contains nutrients essential for brain health, such as:

1.     Red peppers, rich in beta carotene. Onions, yellow color of antoxantin, strong protection against free radical damage.

2.     Broccoli is rich in beta carotene which is also present in carrots.

3.     Bit, purple color due antosianid, which protects the brain membrane.

4.     Tomatoes, reddish orange color indicates lycopene is a powerful antioxidant to protect the brain membranes.

5.     Carrots, orange color comes from beta carotene, minerals calcium, magnesium, and iron.

6.     Avocado, beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It also contains unsaturated fats.

7.     Guava, source of vitamin C is high.

8.     Papaya, a high vitamin C and papain enzyme to digest protein.

Keep in mind, too, needed variation to provide food to children. In addition because the kids get bored with the same foods over and over again, any variation in vitamin and nutrient enriched diasup children. One of the intake that should never be forgotten as well is water, to ensure that food is processed and deliver vital substances throughout the body earlier.