Do you struggle to get your kids to eat healthy foods? Research shows good nutrition is as important to their brain as it is to their body — in early childhood, it leads to a higher IQ. Make the right dietary choices as early as possible to optimize your child’s mental development:

• Add omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are important to brain development and health. Aim for 2 servings of salmon (or other fish with low-mercury content) each week, or use plant-based sources such as walnuts and flaxseed oil.

• Include choline. This compound, found in breast milk and often added to baby formula, is essential for brain development. Good sources include eggs, cod, broccoli, milk, liver, and peanuts.

• Be balanced. Regular meals of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are important for a healthy body and brain.

• Avoid processed, sugary, and high-fat foods. The Children of the ’90s (ALSPAC) study linked a highly processed diet before age 3 to less progress in school between ages 6 and 10.