BY CLAIR WHITTY
From the exciting moment of your child’s first words through to their first day at school, it’s amazing how quickly a child’s brain grows and develops. By the age of 6, the brain has already reached 95% of its peak size! We can’t overstate the importance of supporting a child’s development during this time of growth.
We need Omega 3’s in our diet to assist with brain development and cognitive function including our child’s thinking, reasoning, remembering and mental processing. Omega 3’s also contributes to overall eye health as well as having benefits for strong bones, teeth skin and immune systems.
One of the key building blocks for the brain is Omega 3 fatty acids. Naturally found in high concentrations oily fish like Sardines, Mackerel and Salmon, Omega 3s are essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesised or made in the body. There are few other foods that provide high levels of Omega 3, these would include chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts. Fish is considered one of the best sources.
I often get asked by parents if I think their child is getting enough Omega-3. And the answer most times is that your child may not be getting enough through their diet alone. If your child is a fussy eater or does not like fish, supplements are a great option to make up the shortfall.
One of my favourite brands is Eskimo 3. On the Irish market for over 30 years, it’s a firm favourite with Irish families. Renowned for its exceptional quality and purity, its kids’ range comes in a liquid or chewable form, in fruity flavours that kids are sure to enjoy. Choose Eskimo-3 Kids liquid for children age 1-12. This contains a mixture of Omega-3, 6 and 9 with 5ug Vitamin D. Eskimo combine Omega 3 and 6 because a child’s brain and nervous system have different fatty acid requirements when growing. It is specifically formulated to provide a balance of Omega-3, 6 and 9 to support these needs.
Eskimo Kids Liquid can be taken straight from the spoon or you can add it to a smoothie, yoghurt, fruit juice, or mix into their cereal.
Kids grow up fast, and feeding their body as well as their brain with the nutrients needed to support growth may set them up for life!
