(HealthDay News) — Short days, low temperatures and being stuck inside can take a toll on anyone’s mood, including a child’s. But the right diet can help boost energy, mood and focus during the winter doldrums.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends these foods:

• Serve grilled or broiled salmon.
• Offer clementines, a citrus fruit that’s seedless, easy to peel, sweet and nutrient-rich.
• Roast winter squash, which is nutrient-rich and naturally sweet. Prepare spaghetti squash tossed with sauce, or roasted butternut squash with cinnamon and maple syrup.
• Sweet potatoes — fiber-rich and a good source of vitamin A and potassium — can be sliced into chips or fries and roasted or pureed. Then add to macaroni and cheese or oatmeal.
• Cauliflower offers a wealth of vitamins and anti-cancer properties. Roast or chop in the food processor and serve instead of rice.

— Diana Kohnle

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