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Home » Ramblings » Calming Foods for Calmer Kids

Calming Foods for Calmer Kids

Ramblings

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Anyone else’s children get really high (and wild) an hour or so after having more sugar or treats than usual?  Yep, mine too. But we’re not doomed (thank goodness!). Certain foods, thanks to the vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants they contain, can help calm children and even help reduce anxiety. Want to know more about calming foods for calmer kids?

Read on, wellbeing author Becky Goddard-Hill wrote about it all in this guest post! The lovely Becky is a former social worker and psychotherapist and she’s also a certified life coach. She’s also one of those rare people who are beautiful inside and out. She blogs at Emotionally Healthy Kids.  The first book in the Create Your Own series, Create Your Own Happy*,  came out in 2018 has now sold over 15,000 copies. Over to you, Becky!

Calming Foods for Calmer Kids

Being able to create your own calm is a skill for life and the sooner we all learn how to be calmer and think more clearly the more peaceful and happy our lives will be.

Create Your Own Calm* is an activity book for 6 to 12 year olds. It contains 50 calming activities, to empower kids to manage their emotional wellbeing in fun and creative ways.  It gives children the tools to cope with life’s stresses, builds their resilience and makes them empowered.  

This is such a timely book.  Growing up in a pandemic and going back to school after a long period at home has caused anxiety for a lot of children. During lockdown, Childline reported a 40% increase in calls from under 11’s who were struggling to cope. 

If you’re worried about Coronavirus, the future, school or lockdowns, click here for Childline, who are there to support you.

The ability to help themselves to and to look after their emotional health is such an important gift to give children and one of the most important things a parent can do.

Included in the book is a section on food and specifically which food calms kids down. It may well be worth encouraging your kids to eat more of the following and to bake with these ingredients too. Want to read about calming foods for calmer kids?

Eggs

Eggs contain an amino acid called tryptophan which helps create serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical  in our brains that helps to even out our moods, helps our sleep and decreases anxiety. 

Check out our little Cress hair activity and recipe for the best egg sandwiches ever!

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, zinc and iron. These all help your brain work really well. When your brain is in good health, stress levels can lower too. 

Have you ever tried making bread? This easy peasy no-knead, no faff Pumpkin & Sunflower Seed Loaf is absolutely perfect as a first bread to make as a family.

Spinach 

Leafy greens such as spinach also contain magnesium, which can help boost your mood. 

Blueberries

Blueberries are full of vitamin C and other antioxidants which can improve your brain health and as a result help you feel less anxious (all berries are good for you actually!).  

Check out our delicious fruit skewers here.

Check these vibrant, quick & easy vegan rainbow snacks. Who doesn't love Fruit & Veg Skewers with Dips #GlutenFreeVeganuary

Bananas 

Just like eggs, bananas also contain the amino acid called tryptophan, which makes your body produce serotonin. This raises your spirits and helps reduce stress.

If you like pancakes, then you’ll love our Banana Pancakes, which are gluten-free, vegan, and free from refined sugar.

If you’ve got overripe bananas at home, why not try our Triple Chocolate Banana Muffins. They’re my children’s favourite recipe to make mid-week.

Create Your Own Calm* was published in September 2020 by Harper Collins and is available on Amazon and in all good book shops.

Create Your Own Calm introduces kids to a wide activities such as yoga, baking bread, meditation, deep breathing, anchoring, cloud watching and even earthing! There are so many ways that kids can help themselves to feel calmer and learning how to do that can be great fun.

Thank you Becky for such an insightful article about calming foods. Wherever text is in bold, it’s because I wanted to add a sentence or two (couldn’t help myself, could I?) as well as links to some of our recipes. 

Could rethinking what they eat help our children get calmer?

If your little ones are overactive a lot of the time, re-thinking their diet might be a way to slow down their frenzied habits. As Becky outlined above, it is scientifically proven that certain ingredients can help children calm down. 

There has also been a lot of talk about diet for children with ADHD. To help hyperactive children focus better, it’s important they eat plenty of protein and vitamin-rich food. Avoiding sugar as well as artificial flavours are also key. Check this post if you are thinking of trying a gluten-free, diary-free diet with reduced refined sugar. 

As I was looking for photos of my children cooking or handling food, I fell in a photo rabbit hole and I loved every minute of it. Looking at the photos of my children since my eldest was born nearly 13 years ago, it was glaringly obvious how prominent food has always been in our lives. 

From photos of the children picking fruit, to weaning shenanigans, to food allergies to cooking together as a family, it was all there, an integral part of our daily routine. Our photos really reflect how important food is for us all. Food rocks!

Win a copy of Create Your Own Calm by Becky Goddard-Hill

I ordered Becky’s book on the day it came out as the idea behind it is completely up my street. In the fast-paced, technology-fuelled, goal-oriented society we live in, I want to help my children have moments of calm and peace every day. I honestly don’t think changing everything or moving to an electricity-free commune is the answer.

What I believe in is focusing on introducing new, healthy habits every day. It could be as simple as playing a card game as a family. Other simple calming activities include reading, baking, gardening, walking, yoga. How about making a habit of being grateful for the little things in life or practising mindfulness? Becky’s book helps you do just that. 

You can get Create Your Own Calm by clicking on the Amazon link below (affiliate link*).

The book is brimming with ideas and strategies. In her book, Becky will help like problem-solving, cloud watching, creating your own feelings game, pet therapy as well as recipes, meditation tips and many more. If you’re ready to help your children find a bit of peace and quiet in their lives,  then Create Your Own Calm is a must!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

You can pick and choose a range of ways in which to enter. The only one you must click on to get into the draw is the one asking you to leave a blog post comment. You must also leave a comment telling me what your favourite thing to do is when you’re trying to be calmer. 

This giveaway is open to UK residents over 18 and entries are open until 23.59 p.m. GMT time on Sunday 4th July 2021.

Becky’s book

*This blog post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and go on to buy the product(s) I recommend, I will get a small commission, but you will not be charged a penny more – thanks in advance!  

14/06/2021 · 55 Comments

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Comments

  1. Alice Dixon says

    15/06/2021 at 5:33 am

    I like to do a yoga flow, it helps me calm down and stop worrying

    Reply
  2. Ruth Harwood says

    15/06/2021 at 6:28 am

    I just try to sit and read for a while and that calms me a lot xx

    Reply
  3. Michelle Smith says

    15/06/2021 at 12:48 pm

    Relaxing with a book makes me calm

    Reply
  4. Eva Appleby says

    15/06/2021 at 1:38 pm

    What a lovely book

    Reply
  5. Eva Appleby says

    15/06/2021 at 1:39 pm

    Looks very interesting and my niece would love it

    Reply
  6. Karen hutchinson says

    15/06/2021 at 2:30 pm

    Sitting 8n the garden with a good book and a cup of tea

    Reply
  7. Amber says

    15/06/2021 at 4:04 pm

    For me and my son who has autism, to try and be calmer we will usually play a game (we especially love the orchard games) or read a book together, it’s lovely when there’s a breeze coming through your windows especially when it’s hot and we’re both just relaxing on the sofa with a good book!

    Reply
  8. clair downham says

    15/06/2021 at 5:17 pm

    a nice soak in the bath

    Reply
  9. Sean Eccles says

    15/06/2021 at 6:01 pm

    Read a book or listen to some music

    Reply
  10. A.E. ADKINS says

    15/06/2021 at 11:01 pm

    A long shower or soak in the bathtub – with the door firmly shut!

    Reply
  11. lynn neal says

    15/06/2021 at 11:42 pm

    To get outside and do some gardening, especially the nice bits like sowing seeds!

    Reply
  12. Natalie Burgess says

    16/06/2021 at 10:28 pm

    To listen to chill out music and practice meditation xx

    Reply
  13. Natalie Crossan says

    16/06/2021 at 11:00 pm

    Reading a book and having a cup of tea always works for me

    Reply
  14. Dale Dow says

    17/06/2021 at 12:58 pm

    Just relaxing with a book, no electronics or background noise

    Reply
  15. Angela Treadway says

    17/06/2021 at 6:55 pm

    glass of wine and a nice warm bath x

    Reply
  16. Darren Bourne says

    17/06/2021 at 11:39 pm

    Sitting down with an engrossing book is a good way.

    Reply
  17. sallie burrows says

    18/06/2021 at 11:12 am

    deep breathing exercises

    Reply
  18. Janine Atkin says

    18/06/2021 at 4:12 pm

    having a nice long bath

    Reply
  19. Margaret Gallagher says

    18/06/2021 at 8:02 pm

    Mindfulness – stop and take 5 ! Harder than you think

    Reply
  20. claire woods says

    20/06/2021 at 10:48 am

    a bit of yoga

    Reply
  21. Kim Carberry says

    23/06/2021 at 1:36 pm

    I like to take time and sit in the garden and listen to nothing but the birds tweeting.

    Reply
  22. Elisha says

    25/06/2021 at 11:02 pm

    I just like to sit down close my eyes and listen to some music. Just take myself to a different place for a little while.

    Reply
  23. Louise Heaton says

    28/06/2021 at 8:41 am

    Having a relaxing bath with lavender helps as does sitting in my room where I have ticking wall clocks – Some might think that’s not very relaxing, but they are very hypnotic and therapeutic.

    Reply
  24. Emma Wolski says

    28/06/2021 at 8:46 am

    Sit and talk to my other half for ten minutes, He is always a good influence

    Reply
  25. Marie Rungapadiachy says

    28/06/2021 at 9:27 am

    Painting is my favourite way as it is so calming and relaxing.

    Reply
  26. Vivienne Moreno says

    29/06/2021 at 7:29 pm

    A nice cup of tea

    Reply
  27. Sheri Darby says

    01/07/2021 at 7:42 pm

    Stop and look out of the window for 5 minutes

    Reply
  28. Lucy Robinson says

    02/07/2021 at 11:06 am

    playing card games

    Reply
  29. Samantha Craig says

    02/07/2021 at 11:46 am

    Love the promotion of better wellbeing, its so necessary, now more than ever ❤

    When I’m trying to de-stress and find my calm I like to cook, I find it very mindful and the aromas of tasty, wholesome food can take my mind to better places.

    Reply
  30. Leanne Baker says

    02/07/2021 at 6:21 pm

    Take Deep Breathes And Listen To A Song

    Reply
  31. Leslie Evans says

    03/07/2021 at 5:49 am

    Breathing Deeply and doing Competitions

    Reply
  32. Zoe Andrews says

    03/07/2021 at 8:48 am

    spend time in nature

    Reply
  33. Angela Kelly says

    03/07/2021 at 12:32 pm

    A book is always the answer if I need to destress. Even ten minutes of reading gives me some sense of calm.

    Reply
  34. Tammy Tudor says

    03/07/2021 at 3:06 pm

    By listening to happy calming music!

    Reply
  35. sallyanne rose says

    03/07/2021 at 3:51 pm

    gardening, sometimes the gym and baking cakes

    Reply
  36. Karen Barrett says

    03/07/2021 at 6:45 pm

    I have a daily planner, I’m realistic what is achievable and it’s ok to reschedule

    Reply
  37. Karen R says

    03/07/2021 at 8:04 pm

    A family walk works for us

    Reply
  38. Nikki Easton says

    04/07/2021 at 1:27 am

    Meditation is the best way to get calm after a busy day.

    Reply
  39. Adrian Bold says

    04/07/2021 at 2:31 am

    I enjoy listening to music to relax and stay calm.

    Reply
  40. Natalie Gillham says

    04/07/2021 at 3:49 am

    I suffer from alot of anxiety so I try to distract myself with calming activities such as reading a good book, watching a gentle happy programme, having a relaxing bath or going out for a walk amoungst nature to gain perspective.

    Reply
  41. Jamie Clark says

    04/07/2021 at 9:01 am

    Bake

    Reply
  42. laura lou stewart says

    04/07/2021 at 11:42 am

    lovely giveaway thank you

    Reply
  43. adrian price says

    04/07/2021 at 12:25 pm

    a good story

    Reply
  44. Lucinda P says

    04/07/2021 at 12:31 pm

    I find focusing on my breathing, taking long slow breaths helps me to feel calm

    Reply
  45. Sarah KNIGHTLEY says

    04/07/2021 at 12:48 pm

    I sit down and read a few chapters of my book, or I run a bath and have some time out from the every thing I need to do.

    Reply
  46. Laura Pritchard says

    04/07/2021 at 3:10 pm

    A hot bath with a good book!

    Reply
  47. Michelle Moloney says

    04/07/2021 at 3:26 pm

    A movie with popcorn is guaranteed to make them sit down for at least some of the duration of the movie

    Reply
  48. Caroline Signey says

    04/07/2021 at 5:04 pm

    Reading in the bath

    Reply
  49. Sheena Read says

    04/07/2021 at 5:53 pm

    Plan ahead instead of doing it all last minute.

    Reply
  50. Kirsty Charleston says

    04/07/2021 at 6:56 pm

    I like to listen to a guided meditation on youtube

    Reply
  51. Patricia Barrett says

    04/07/2021 at 7:04 pm

    I like to read to unwind and calm myself.

    Reply
  52. Debbie Ellis says

    04/07/2021 at 9:25 pm

    I find reading a book helps me

    Reply
  53. Paul Savage says

    04/07/2021 at 9:31 pm

    Drink tea,lots of tea.

    Reply
  54. Mr Mark Adamson says

    04/07/2021 at 9:36 pm

    Just taking 10 minutes to read a book is really helping keep me cwlm

    Reply
  55. Ross Leech says

    04/07/2021 at 11:09 pm

    A nice soak in a hot bath away from the rest of the world.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Mel, a mum of four writing about family life, food, adventures, allergies & photography. You can read more about us here.
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