We all have had a student or students who seemed so overly active in class that we asked:  “What did you eat this morning?” or, “It seems like you had too much sugar this morning.” Well, if you’ve made these remarks before towards your students, there is scientific and sound reasoning behind it.

School is where young people spend most of their time.  It is important to teach them healthy eating habits.  Determining who’s eating healthy and who’s not is difficult. Trying to link a student’s performance to his eating habits is even harder, but what we do know is that eating a well-balanced meal, especially breakfast (the first meal of the day) is paramount for students to perform well academically.  Eating breakfast and eating healthy keeps students alert, and helps get them ready for the day.  Here is an interesting website with a study supporting the relationship between healthy lifestyles and school performance: http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/203.php

My experience: When I taught Junior High in the Bronx, every morning when parking my car in the lot, I would see a handful of students in front of the deli picking up a quick breakfast meal.

One morning, I decided to go in the store and try out their coffee. To my amazement, candy and soda was being purchased and consumed by students. Right away I thought…”This is NOT good for you. It’s too early for candy and soda!!”

As much as I wanted all my students to eat a healthy breakfast I knew it wasn’t happening, and after my experience in the deli, it was confirmed that they weren’t eating healthy.  I did see a connection between their eating habits and their behavior in the mornings.  They would come in so revved up and so hyper.  The school lunches didn’t help either: fried foods were always on the menu, chicken fingers, French fries, and hamburgers.  I quickly realized that changing eating habits had to take place from the top and it wasn’t going to be easy.

Things have changed since then. There has been a push to promote healthy eating in schools, from banning soda machines to partnering with school districts to promote and manage catering services, with a focus on serving fresh foods expertly prepared by a team of chefs.

Consider using these CTN resources that can help students learn of the importance of  eating healthy.  All are available ON DEMAND and on eView.

Nutrition (Learning Seed)
These programs give you an insight into nutrition basics and explain why food matters. They give you an overview and explanation into the processes and effect of your body systems, pertaining to nutrition.
Grade Level: 5-8
Duration: 19-25 minutes a program

Teen Cuisine
Make your own healthy snacks with Teen Cuisine. Eat right and be wise. The focus is on fun, easy nutritional snacks for children to cook on their own. Cooking tips and quick bites promoting foods for energy and menus scheduled for every month of the school year.
Grade Level: 4-8
Duration:  5 minutes a program

Deskercise
Deskercise is a daily classroom fitness series that can help fight childhood obesity. Host Slim Goodbody is sure to keep viewers engaged and moving!
Program: National Nutrition Month
Grade Level: Pre-K -2
Duration: 10 minutes a program

-What are you doing as a teacher to support healthy eating?
-What are some things your school is doing to promote healthy eating?

Send us your comments.