Every parent has seen it – the half-asleep child staring at textbooks before school, or the glazed look that creeps in halfway through homework. It’s easy to blame lack of discipline, too much screen time, or even dull lessons. But often, the missing piece is simpler: food. The brain is the hungriest organ in the body, using up to 20% of a child’s energy. During the school years, when the brain is rapidly forming connections for memory, reasoning, and focus, the fuel it receives can make all the difference. The good news? Brain-friendly foods don’t need to be exotic or expensive. Most are everyday staples that, with a little creativity, can slip easily into meals. Here are six foods every child should eat more often and smart ways to serve them without a battle at the table.
