Top Vitamins To Help Kids Focus

March 22, 2023
Written by:
Naomi White
Elementary Homeschool, Homeschooling Middle School, Parenting

As parents, we would all be quick to admit that we want our children to be as happy and healthy as they can be. We try to maintain an upbeat, happy home environment where our kids feel safe and loved, all the while making sure they get exercise and plenty of sleep. We want their bodies and minds in the best shape possible. If your child has some trouble focusing or paying attention, it can certainly make homeschooling more difficult for them and for you. Here are some vitamins for kids to help brain function so your children can better focus.

A quick side note: In our pursuit of health, we occasionally may have to supplement with over-the-counter vitamins, but the best source of vitamins is a balanced diet. This post will feature some of the top vitamins for focus and various foods in which they are found.

Top Vitamins to Help Kids Stay Focused

Zinc

Foods rich in zinc include:

  • Red meat
  • Potatoes with their skin
  • Oats
  • Chickpeas
  • Quinoa
  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Black Beans
  • Mushrooms

Iron

Here are some iron-rich foods:

  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Dark leafy greens
  • Bread/grains
  • Prunes
  • Dried fruit

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is found in:Vitamins for Kids

  • Oranges
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Strawberries
  • Lemons
  • Guava
  • Cabbage

Vitamin B6

Some foods in which B6 is found include:

  • Salmon
  • Potatoes
  • Chicken
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Eggs

Vitamin B12

To make sure your child has an adequate amount of B12, feed them plenty of:

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Red meat
  • Fish
  • Yogurt
  • Chicken
  • Nutrition bars
  • Fortified breakfast cereal

Magnesium

You can find magnesium in:

  • Spinach
  • Beans
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Peanut butter
  • Brown rice
  • Coconut milk
  • Bananas

Inositol

This brain-boosting vitamin can be found in:

  • Cantaloupe
  • Beans
  • Brown rice
  • Corn
  • Sesame seeds
  • Citrus fruits
  • Peas
  • Nuts

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

These foods are rich in folic acid:

  • Eggs
  • Berries
  • Leafy greens
  • Nuts
  • Beans
  • Citrus fruits
  • Asparagus
  • Sunflower seeds

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Look for this B vitamin in foods like:

  • Beef
  • Liver – beef or chicken (If you can get your kids to eat liver, please let me know how you did it!)
  • Chicken breast
  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Brown rice
  • Bananas
  • Green peas

Honorable Mention: Ginkgo Biloba

The only place Ginkgo Biloba is found is in the ginkgo tree. Supplements featuring Ginkgo Biloba are taken from the leaves. The ginkgo seeds can be very dangerous when ingested so one must be very careful. Though this can only be taken in supplement form, it warrants a mention because it has been shown to be extremely helpful for many issues, including ADHD. It’s a great addition to aid in focus and improve cognition.

Conclusion

As you can see, many of the foods in which these vitamins are found overlap, which is especially helpful if you have a picky eater. Our kids need healthy brain cells to focus and be able to achieve all their hearts can desire! If all else fails, show them an old episode of Popeye, and maybe you can get them to eat some spinach. If that still doesn’t work, throw some spinach in a smoothie with a frozen banana. They’ll get the beneficial vitamins and minerals while never knowing it’s good for them, and they’ll love you for giving them a treat! That’s a homeschooling parent win!

 

Additional Homeschool Health Resources

10 Healthy Foods That Boost Brain Development

Healthy Kids Homeschool Unit Study

Keeping Homeschool Kids Active & Healthy

#BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, #FAMILY HEALTH, #HEALTHY FOODS, #HEALTHY SNACKS, #VITAMINS

Naomi White

Naomi White graduated with her B.S. in Christian Elementary Education and went on to earn her Early Childhood Education certification. She has taught preschool and elementary school in both Christian and public schools. She loves to read and write, is a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mom, and is eagerly awaiting the day her son is old enough for them to start their own homeschool journey. Originally a Georgia girl, Naomi currently lives in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her family.