Speech therapy is the treatment and assessment of speech disorders and communication problems. Speech therapy is normally performed by SLPs, speech-language pathologists which are also known as speech therapists. The techniques involved in speech therapy are used to enhance and improve communication. These techniques are normally included such as language intervention therapy, articulation therapy, and other types of techniques depending on the speech disorder. Many professionals such as speech pathology Surrey Hills are more than glad to help you and your child to improve your communication. However, in speech therapy, there should be mutual efforts. Not only the therapist has to put in effort but you, the patient, has also need to put in the effort if you want to improve your communication faster. Many professionals will suggest to you some healthy foods that are best for better speech therapy. It is quite essential for you to listen to them and eat those foods. However, in case, they have not told you yet, here is a list of best and healthy food for better speech therapy:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
One of the most important nutrients that is quite essential for better speech therapy is the Omega-3 fatty acid. Improper intake of these fatty acids can result in speech development delay, especially in children. Furthermore, it can also affect one’s speech quality. One of the major food that has ample of Omega-3 fatty acids in it are fish including but not limited to salmon. Fish is one of the best and most eaten meat all over the globe. Everyone likes to eat fish. Fish does not only taste good but it also has various health benefits as well. Fish does not only have omega fatty acids but it also has various vitamins and minerals that are good for your health.
- Folic Acid
Foods that are rich in folic acid such as leafy green vegetables are quite essential and healthy for better speech therapy. Folic acid or Vitamin B9 helps to prevent nerves from getting damaged which can result in speech disorders. Raw vegetables and leafy greens are quite helpful in improving your communication. Eating or chewing carrots or celery can provide your body with Vitamin A as well which is quite essential for your body. It also has vitamin C and fiber by providing beta carotene which is also quite essential for your body as well as the nervous system. Other vegetables such as leafy greens including but not limited to spinach, chard, kale, and collard greens are quite rich in certain vitamins and minerals that are quite essential for better speech therapy and your body as well. Moreover, leafy greens have very little or zero-calorie in them, making it much healthier than other foods. It is advisable to add leafy greens to your salad in your diet.
- Vitamin E
Another nutrient that is quite essential for better speech therapy is Vitamin E. Vitamin E no only acts as an antioxidant but also kills bacteria and radicals that can damage your nervous system which can result in speech disorders and communication problems. Some of the foods that have ample Vitamin E in them are fruits such as apples. Therefore, it is quite essential for you to add apples and other fruits that contain Vitamin E in them. So, you do not have to suffer from more speech disorders and can quickly recover from all the problems that you are facing due to the radicals and bacteria that are damaging your nervous system. Furthermore, apples have other health benefits as well. Eating them at least once a day can drastically improve your overall health.
- Food that contains magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous
Including foods that contain magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous in your diet can be quite impactful and helpful as proper intake of these nutrients can result in better development of the body including the nervous system which can result in better communication. A lot of foods contain all three nutrients mentioned previously such as rice, fish, dairy foods, and nuts. Therefore, it is quite essential to add dairy products to your diet. Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk are quite healthy and are eaten by everyone in the world. Dairy products are a necessity and they help your body get healthy and develop properly. Not only that but dairy products are also rich in calcium and protein that is quite essential for your digestive system. However, in case you allergic to dairy products, you can try eating nuts. Nuts are also rich in calcium, Vitamin E, potassium, and zinc. All of these nutrients are quite essential for your body, more of a reason why you should eat a handful of nuts every day.
- Cranberries
Last but not the least, cranberries can also contribute towards better speech therapy. According to many studies, cranberries are quite important in creating a good, and in improving one’s nervous system as cranberries contain a certain compound that is quite essential for the nervous system. It is advisable to eat a handful of cranberries or drink cranberry juice daily.
- Avoid certain foods
It is quite important not to only eat all the foods mentioned above but also to avoid certain foods that can contribute to your speech disorders. For instance, it is possible that you are allergic to certain types of foods such as dairy products. Therefore, it is quite essential to avoid eating dairy products if you are allergic to it since eating food that you are allergic to can result in hearing loss. As a result, it can cause speech disorders. It is also crucial to avoid canned foods, food preservatives, additives in artificial foods, excess intake of caffeine and alcohol, and glutamates. All of these foods can result in certain speech disorders if you are unlucky. Furthermore, it is also important to avoid smoking and alcohol in case you see certain signs of getting speech disorders.
