8 The most important nutrients for the development of a baby's brain

Food for babies from the age of 6 months is not only useful for meeting their daily nutritional needs, but also supports brain intelligence. That is why it is important for parents to pay attention to nutrition in food to support the development of the baby's brain.

So, what are the food choices that can be given from 6 months of age to optimize brain intelligence and development?

A variety of food choices for the baby's brain intelligence

Talking about the development of the baby's brain, actually this process does not only begin when your little one is born.

The development and growth of a baby's brain begins when he is still in the womb of the mother.

In order for the baby's brain development to be more optimal, providing food sources with the right nutritional content from the age of 6 months will certainly further support the intelligence of the little one.

Therefore, there are several food sources along with nutritional content that are considered to be able to maximize the baby's brain development.

The intake of complementary foods (complementary foods) is also sufficient for the baby's nutritional needs.

Food sources that can be given to support the intelligence of the baby's brain from an early age, namely:

1. Meat and fish

Meat and fish are included in good food sources for the intelligence of the baby's brain because they contain fat.

Fat is a nutrient that is needed for the development of a baby's brain.

When a newborn is born, breast milk is relied on as a source of nutrition in the form of the best fat for the development and intelligence of the baby's brain.

The types of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (Arachidonic acid) in breast milk will make the baby's brain work more optimally.

DHA and ARA also help support the development of the nerve tissue and retina of the eye. Apart from breast milk, DHA and ARA can also be obtained by babies from daily food sources.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food sources that contain DHA and ARA include fish oil, mushrooms, and eggs.

Some types of fish that you can give your baby when complementary foods are salmon, tilapia, catfish, sardines, to bloating.

Meanwhile, other sources of nutrition in the form of fat for the intelligence of the baby's brain come from avocado, eggs, beef, and nuts.

If the baby is more than 6 months old, you can meet the nutritional needs of fat from these food sources to support intelligence and brain development.

2. Beef and chicken liver

Since newborns, breast milk is relied upon as the main source of iron for babies.

However, when the baby reaches the age of 6 months and over, it is very important to provide other high-iron foods, for example beef and chicken liver.

This is because the baby's nutritional needs have increased, while breast milk is no longer able to meet the needs when he reaches 6 months of age.

On this basis, we need solid food as solid food which is given alternately with breast milk according to the baby's MPASI schedule.

At birth to 2 years, the baby's body will grow rapidly. This condition makes the volume of blood produced even more.

When there is a lack of iron in the MPASI menu, the body will use all the iron in the body to produce blood.

Therefore, ultimately the brain does not get enough iron content.

Lack of intake of nutrients such as iron, can trigger cognitive problems for brain development and intelligence of babies.

Apart from beef liver and chicken liver alone, other sources of iron can also be obtained from beef, fish, skinless chicken, and eggs.

You can also give him baby food products that have been specially added iron (iron fortification).

3. Eggs as food for the baby's brain intelligence

Eggs are a good source of choline nutrition to support intelligence and brain development of babies.

Choline is a form of the B complex vitamin that humans can produce in very small amounts.

The need for choline from food usually always increases because it is used to support intelligence and brain development of babies.

Choline in the body will be converted into betaine which functions to regulate gene function, regulate neurological development, and brain development.

Lack of nutritional choline from food can interfere with the development of the brain, intelligence, and nerves of the baby.

Launching from Stanford Children's Health, sources of choline can be obtained from egg yolks, red meat, fish, poultry, to products such as yogurt and cheese.

In addition, vegetables such as broccoli, bok coy, cauliflower, and cabbage are also a source of nutrition for choline.

You can process food sources of choline into your main diet or baby snacks.

4. Nuts

Folic acid is one of the dietary nutrients from the B vitamin type to support intelligence and brain development of babies.

If the lack of these nutrients from the time of early pregnancy, what can happen is a disturbance in the baby's neurological and brain development.

Therefore, from the beginning of pregnancy even before pregnancy, the mother's folate needs should be met properly for the development of the brain and nerves of the baby in the womb.

You can get folate-rich food sources from nuts, such as soybeans, peanuts, kidney beans, peas, and green beans.

Some processed foods such as bread and baby cereals also contain folic acid to complement their nutritional content.

5. Seafood for baby's brain intelligence

Seafood such as tuna, shrimp, lobster, and seaweed are rich in nutrients such as iodine. This turned out to be good for brain development and intelligence of babies.

Since they are still in the womb until they are born, babies still need foods that contain iodine for brain development.

Basically, iodine functions as a form of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

Thyroid hormone is a hormone needed for the normal development process of the baby's brain and nerves.

Apart from seafood, babies who are 6 months old can get sources of iodine, among others, from potatoes, cod liver oil, eggs, and salt.

6. Tofu and tempeh

Other foods that are nutritious and contain ingredients to optimize intelligence and brain development of babies, namely tofu and tempeh.

Protein is useful for forming baby brain cells and connective tissue around the brain.

Not only that, protein also produces new nerve cells in the brain, allowing the child's brain to continue to grow and develop.

That is why the intake of protein nutrition from food is very important for intelligence and brain development of babies.

Various food sources of protein are divided back into vegetable protein such as nuts, tofu, tempeh, and oncom.

7. Shells (oysters)

Shellfish, like oysters, can be given as food to optimize intelligence. However, pay attention to whether the baby has allergies or not.

This is because shellfish contain nutrients that are good for the development of the baby's brain, such as zinc or zinc.

Zinc is a mineral intake that plays a role in cell formation and DNA formation from the time when fertilization occurs in the womb.

In infant development, zinc requirements also increase. Therefore, it is also necessary to intake solid foods containing zinc to prevent nutritional problems in infants.

8. Salmon

Salmon contains a variety of nutrients or nutrients that are good for growing babies, one of which is vitamin D.

Vitamins for babies are known to have various benefits, including vitamin D which is good for supporting bone strength and brain development of babies.

Vitamin D can be obtained from foods such as fatty fish, fish oil, fortified baby milk, and exposure to UV rays from the sun.

You can start giving all these food sources to your baby from the age of 6 months, either by feeding (spoon feeding) or eat alone (baby led weaning).

6 month baby food recipes for baby's brain intelligence

After knowing what foods you can use to improve your baby's intelligence, it's time for you to look at the recipe to make it right away.

You can also consult with your doctor first to get a clearer understanding of nutrition and nutrition when your baby has entered complementary foods.

Here are some recipes for 6 months of baby food to increase the intelligence of the baby's brain, such as:

1. Porridge tofu, broccoli, and shrimp

Materials:

• 2 tbsp - 4 tbsp white rice
• 3 prawns
• 4 broccol
• 2 pieces of tofu
• 125 ml of mineral water
• 70 ml of broth
• 1 garlic clove

How to make:

• Add enough white rice and water, then stir until the water is reduced.
• Pour in the broth, shrimp, broccoli, and tofu that have been cut and chopped.
• Enter the garlic to taste, then cook until the water is reduced.
• You can also add lime or bay leaves to make it more fragrant.
• Strain the cooked porridge, then adjust the thickness with warm water.

2. Rice team, stir-fry liver and meat

Materials:

• 15 grams of ground beef
• 15 grams of chicken liver
• 10 grams of green beans
• 15 grams of brown rice or white rice
• 15 grams of shelled sweet corn
• 10 grams of broccoli
• 1 clove of red onion and garlic

How to make:

• Team brown or white rice with green beans with 300 ml of water until soft.
• Saute onion, garlic, until fragrant.
• Add ground beef, chicken liver, corn, and broccoli and cook until cooked.
• Blend or filter all ingredients and adjust the thickness with water or milk.

3. Fish and egg team porridge

Materials:

• Cooked white rice to taste
• Mackerel, salmon, or anything that contains omega 3
• 1 egg
• Green beans and carrots to taste
• 1 clove of red onion and garlic
• Unsalted butter

How to make:

• Saute garlic, onion, and unsalted butter until fragrant.
• Enter the fish, eggs and vegetables.
• Add 200 ml of water, then stir until it becomes mush.
• Strain or blend until it reaches a sufficient consistency.
• You can also add evoo to your child's mealtime.

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