Happy Foods - Holiday Academy

Happy food can teach children good eating practice during the early years of their life to continue throughout their whole life, knowing that food isn’t just about the taste, it can make them happy from the inside out as a colourful, integral part of their life.

Did you know that what we eat can have an effect on our mood? Yes, you did! Studies have shown that the right food can have a major feel-good factor especially when eaten on a regular basis due to the numerous health benefits. Children during the growing stages of their life can benefit greatly from a healthy diet that can help them focus more in school and feel calmer.

For children AND adults there is such a thing called Happy Foods that can be incorporated in our weekly diet to have a better well being and a healthier lifestyle.

A few happy foods

Apples

They say that ‘an apple a day can not only help keep the doctor away’. Research has shown that apples, especially red apples, packed with healthy antioxidants can improve our mood. Apple’s long list of health benefits places it in the top 5 most healthiest foods.

Boost your immune system
Reduce Weakness
Treat Anemia
Control Diabetes
Dental Care
Prevent Heart Diseases
Treat Rheumatism
Improve vision
Promote Weight Loss
Improves skin

Banana

Bananas are one of the world’s best foods for supplying your body with energy. They are rich in potassium and B vitamins, they can provide your body with a more sustained release of energy. The supply of vitamins and carbohydrates in bananas make you feel full, help slow down digestion and keep blood sugar levels stable.

Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

One of the most important areas of research into the relationship between foods and behavior shows that children should eat more oily fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is a good source of protein and, unlike fatty meat products, it’s not high in saturated fat.

Oily fish contain beneficial fatty acids which positively influence the signals sent back and forth between the brain and parts of the body. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is one of the two main types of fish oil and has been shown in studies to have the power to stabilize mood swings and generally improve concentration, behavior and learning abilities of children with ADHD. If your child does not like oily fish, maybe consider discussing a supplement with your doctor.

Eggs

Now eggs are an absolutely awesome source of iron and protein! They are also naturally rich in B-vitamins which are responsible for converting food into energy. Eggs are sure to give you a sustainable hit of energy which will last throughout the whole day.

Nuts

Almonds, hazelnuts and cashews are all high in magnesium, which plays a major role in converting sugar into energy, and are also filled with fiber to keep your blood sugar levels even. Giving children a handful of nuts is a healthy alternative to sugary sweets and salty snacks. Snacking on nuts can also promote healthy eating habits.

Dark Chocolate and way less Sugar!

Swapping milk chocolate to dark chocolate can make a tremendous improvement to a child’s diet since studies have shown that eating dark chocolate (1.4 ounces of it, to be exact) every day for two weeks can reduce stress hormones, including cortisol, in people who were highly stressed that a study done at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland recently found.

Experts believe it could be thanks to the antioxidants in chocolate. When you do indulge, be sure to account for the sugar content/235 calories that 1.4 ounces of chocolate delivers— which means that even for children, dark chocolate should be eaten in moderation.

Eating a rainbow

When we look at our plate, we should see all the colors of a rainbow that covers the variety of fruits and vegetables that we need in our diet. Preparing food to cover all the colours of the rainbow can be a fun way for children to learn about the importance of food nutrients.

Good practice during the early years

Our healthy food afternoons

We have very healthy, happy food afternoon cold cooking sessions at Holiday Academy as well as the odd treat!

Please note: We have a no nut/no sharing food policy

https://holidayacademy.co.uk/