Everyone, at one point in their lives, has had their own dreadful encounter with examinations—and preparing for them is no joke. As a parent, you’re probably aware of the stress that your kids experience during exams. 

Nutrition plays a big part in their brain and memory function, which are essential when taking exams. Help your child prepare by making sure the following brain-boosting food are included in their meals:

Hydration and water intake is already an important part of your everyday life, but this becomes even more significant when your child needs to power up their brain for memory retention and improved cognitive abilities.

Always make sure that your child has a water tumbler nearby. If they’re still not drinking enough, it helps to add some extra fruits and vegetables rich in water, such as:

• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Apples
• Oranges
  

You know I'm a nerd for food science, so I loved learning that eating different types of nuts can really affect your brain health positively. 

With a high content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of Omega-3 fatty acid, walnuts top the list for the best nuts for brain health. DHA, also a substance naturally found in the brain, is known to have many health benefits such as protecting brain health in newborns, preventing the development of certain mental disorders, and, more importantly, boosting cognitive performance in adults, which are perfect for students studying for impending exams. Also, consuming walnuts are found to decrease blood pressure in response to stress, which most students usually experience.

As a former teacher, I hate the idea of kids having to memorize facts to pass a test but memory and retention will always play a part in formalized assessments. These two types of nuts are known for their concentrated amounts of vitamin E associated with slowing down cognitive decline and memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are notorious memory killers with no definite cure. However, they can be slowed down through changes in lifestyle, which includes eating at least two teaspoons of hazelnuts or almonds per day. 

Even though some pick eaters might not be excited about protein-rich fish, salmon provides exemplary nutrients, particularly for the brain. The human brain is naturally composed of 60% fatty acids making up fat molecules, constituting the structure and function of the brain. However, these fats, which are mostly made up of DHA, are incapable of being produced by the body. Thus, people need to obtain and compensate for its loss through a healthy diet consisting with omega-3 fatty acids. One of the best foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are salmon. 

Salmon is also a great test-prep choice because it increases the flow of oxygen, which is useful for accepting new information and has vitamin B12 for healthy blood vessels and nerves.

Being one of the simplest and most accessible food of all time, you can pick up eggs right from your fridge and cook it in different ways. As neurocognitive health is an aspect that should be equally prioritized among others, eating eggs daily can make a big difference when it comes to brain development, learning, and memory because of two nutrients: lutein and choline. 

Lutein is an essential carotenoid that offers several health benefits not only for the eyes. Lutein is most commonly associated with eye health as it acts like a barrier in the retina for the development of macular pigments. 

Choline, on the other hand, does wonders for the mind and body during the varying stages of human development. The nutrient choline is highly required in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle control, memory, focus, mood, and other functions of the brain and nervous system.

To make turmeric more exciting for your family, you can add it into different recipes where they might not even notice it. I like to add it to chicken soup, gingerbread cookies, scrambled eggs, and a turmeric latte.