Zinc is known as the "gas station of the brain" and plays a vital role in children's intellectual development, memory improvement and concentration. In order to make children more focused in class, parents can skillfully incorporate zinc-rich foods into their daily diets.
I recommend 3 foods high in zinc – oysters, duck livers and mushrooms – and offer simple and easy cooking methods for kids to enjoy while fueling their brains.
1. Raw silkworms
Known as the "milk of the sea", oysters are extremely rich in zinc and are easily absorbed by the body. The zinc in oysters helps to enhance nerve conduction, increase brain reaction speed, and allow children to think quickly and concentrate while learning.
Recommended method: Roasted oysters with garlic
- Ingredients: A few fresh oysters, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 shallot, appropriate amount of chili powder, light soy sauce and cooking oil.
-Method:
1. Brush the oysters, chop the garlic into minced garlic, and chop the shallots into finely chopped green onions.
2. Heat the oil in a pan, add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, add a small amount of light soy sauce and chili powder to taste, stir-fry well and set aside.
3. Spread the sautéed minced garlic evenly over the oysters and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 10 minutes. Grilled oysters with juicy and fragrant garlic can be enjoyed as soon as they are baked.
2. Duck Liver
Duck liver is rich in zinc, iron, vitamin A and other nutrients, which have a positive effect on children's vision protection, brain development and improving immunity. Its delicate taste and unique flavor can also stimulate children's appetite.
【Pan-fried duck liver】
- Ingredients: 200g fresh duck liver, half an apple, appropriate amount of unsalted butter, appropriate amount of black pepper and salt.
-Method:
1. Slice the foie gras into thin slices and use a paper towel to absorb excess water;
2. Heat a frying pan, add a small piece of unsalted butter to melt, add the foie gras slices and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until the surface is slightly charred and the inside is pink.
3. Sprinkle the fried duck liver with black pepper and salt to taste, and serve it on a plate with apple slices to enjoy the crispy outside and tender inside, rich in nutrients.
III. [Mouth]
Mushrooms are not only delicious, but also high in zinc, and rich in protein, vitamin D and other nutrients, which help to improve children's immunity and promote brain health.
Scrambled eggs with mushrooms
- Ingredients: 150 grams of mushrooms, 2 eggs, 1 shallot, appropriate amount of salt, appropriate amount of cooking oil.
-Method:
1. Wash and slice the mushrooms, beat the eggs into a bowl and beat them, and chop the shallots into chopped green onions.
2. Heat the pan with cold oil, pour in the egg mixture and stir-fry quickly until solidified, then set aside.
3. Add a little oil to the pan, add the mushroom slices and stir-fry until soft, add the scrambled eggs, sprinkle with salt, and stir-fry quickly. Remove from the pan. This scrambled egg with mushrooms is full of color, flavor and nutrition, and is a good companion for children's table.
Oysters, duck livers, and mushrooms, as high-quality ingredients rich in zinc, can be easily integrated into children's daily diets through scientific and reasonable cooking methods. Parents try the above practices to create a "brain gas station" for their children, helping them to focus more in the classroom and learn more efficiently.