15 Sep, 2008

Ask the coach: Short attention span

Question

My daughter's teacher has informed me she has a short attention span in class, in particular after lunch. Could this be related to the lunch I have provided and if so, what can I do to increase her attention span?

Answer

Our mood and concentration span are influenced by the foods we eat. It is not just adults who suffer from the afternoon slump and, as a parent, you should review your child's lunch. Foods that are sweet or turn into sugar readily can raise your blood sugar very quickly. This rapid increase in blood sugar leads the body to release more insulin to bring it back down. When this happens a number of times a day, you are setting your child up for a roller coaster of emotions for the day. Foods like sweets, chocolate bars, white bread and soft drinks are the biggest culprits, so it's best to try to avoid these foods altogether.

When shopping for your child's lunches, you should stick to the outside aisles, as this is where you will find the fresh food. Lendon Smith, doctor and author of the book Feed Your Kids Right, says that it is important for the family to follow good eating habits and to avoid refined sugars, excessive carbohydrates and artificial additives. He recommends that children eat natural raw vegetables, fruit and at least 2g of protein per kg of bodyweight. To prevent the yo-yo pattern of rapid rises in blood sugars, children should eat every 2-3 hours.