We all know the phrase “you are what you eat” — and it couldn’t be truer when it comes to the brain. What you ingest directly correlates with how you think, remember, and focus that day. Remember this the next time you drink a cup of coffee instead of eating breakfast! 

Nutrition is especially important for brains that are still growing and learning to ensure that kids and teens stay focused and alert. Healthy eating at school can set the tone for how well students perform and help them establish good habits well into adulthood. 

In honor of March being National Nutrition Month, we wanted to highlight the connection between the foods students eat and how that can affect their ability to perform well at school. 

How Nutrition Affects the Brain 

When we think about nutrition, we often think about the physical implications, such as weight and energy. But nutrition plays just as important a role in the brain’s ability to function. The brain has two main jobs, the first being to communicate with the other organs in the body and tell them their functions. To do this, brain cells, known as neurons, send these messages throughout the body. 

The brain’s other important job is to perform cognitive tasks. This would include how we think, learn, memorize, use our imagination, organize, and concentrate. Of course, this, in turn, affects your ability to get through the day and even regulate your emotions. 

A good diet will help improve brain function by encouraging the production of new neurons and the connections between neurons, ultimately improving cognitive functioning. The opposite is true for a bad diet. Instead of helping to produce these neurons, it can actually encourage the release of stress hormones and cause inflammation in certain parts of the brain, negatively affecting one’s cognitive ability. 

Nutrition and Students’ Academic Performance 

Eating healthy sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to a student succeeding in school. Better eating means better cognitive function, leading to better concentration, ending with better academic achievement. Just think about how difficult it is to focus while your stomach grumbles! 

Those who have a poor diet are more likely to have poor grades, lower test scores, be suspended, miss school, have behavioral issues, and not graduate high school. It also affects young children, where poor nutrition in the first five years of life can impair learning ability and school readiness.  

A study from the CDC found that dietary behavior had a direct correlation to academic grades. Here’s a glimpse at some of the results: 

• 42% of students who ate breakfast 7 days a week had mostly A’s, compared to 20% with mostly D/F’s 
• 66% of students who ate vegetables one or more times per day had mostly A’s, compared to 52% with mostly D/F’s 
• 41% of students who don’t drink soda or pop had mostly A’s, compared to 21% with mostly D/F’s 

How Schools Can Help Improve Childhood Nutrition 

Feeding America reports that nearly 14 million children in the United States face food insecurity. One in every five children is unsure where their next meal will come from. While single-parent families and Black and Latino children are more likely to face hunger, food insecurity can affect every kind of community. 

It’s also important to take into consideration busy schedules. From skipping breakfast in the morning because they’re running late to catch the bus to missing lunch so they can attend debate club, many kids don’t eat the recommended three meals a day. 

Breakfast and Lunch Programs 

Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, and science backs this up. Regular breakfast is associated with improved memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Kids who eat school breakfast achieve 17.5% higher on standardized math tests. 

This extends into the day, as the brain needs more fuel to stay energized and alert. Regular meal intervals can help maintain blood sugar and cognitive performance, and snacks can help maintain mental alertness and attention.  

Schools can provide healthy meal programs for those who skipped breakfast at home or did not pack a lunch. Programs can include grab-and-go options or even allow the consumption of breakfast at the beginning of class. 

Provide Healthy Food Options 

Improving the quality of food on-site at school will automatically improve childhood nutrition. Kids with regular access to healthy and convenient food options are more likely to make nutritious choices and maintain healthy eating habits. 

Ditch those soda vending machines and replace them with healthy alternatives. Consider what items the school cafeteria serves and if they’re helping to meet the recommended nutritional intake. 

Education is Key 

From avoiding a high-fat diet and sugars to encouraging eating fruits and veggies and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrition education at school can be extremely beneficial. Schools are there to teach, after all! Students need to understand the importance of healthy eating for themselves, so they know exactly why a high-fiber granola bar is a better option than a cookie.  

Healthy eating at school sets students up for long-term success, from elementary to high school and beyond. For more ways to support your students’ physical and mental health, watch our on-demand webinar to learn how EHR software can help.