Tiffany Greene, Your Kids

Brain food equals brain power, so what your child eats can help improve his or her FCAT scores.

Fresh fruit, eggs, a muffin or even cereal can all get your mind going.

"Breakfast gets your brain started. You wake in the morning your blood sugar is low you need some quick energy. So the best thing to do is have some of the simple sugars," said Lora Gilbert, of Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition.

A glass of orange juice or milk can help your child get the protein and carbohydrates they need to get their engine going. 
Gilbert said that this is not the time to put your child on a diet.  Instead, she wants you to think fat.

"Fat is very slowly digested so it is going to stay longer with the students," Gilbert said.
 
Now that we know fats and proteins are good for you, here are some examples of food that will stick with your child.

Lean meats and dairy products are great sources of protein.  Foods with whole grains have a lot of iron and forftified minerals that help the brain go. Another thing to remember is fixing a meal that is high in color -- think orange, green and yellow.

"Those are calories that last a lot longer and provide the nutrients that will help there brain function the next day," Gilbert said.

Sure, foods like doughnuts, Little Debbie's and soda are kid favorites, but that doesn't always mean it's good for them. Gilbert said drinks that are high in caffeine or high in sugar are going to give kids quick energy, but then it'll drop their blood sugar, making it really hard to concentrate.

Orange County Public Schools is helping students stay on track by providing free healthy snacks.

To see more Your Kids stories, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

 
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