The Right Fuel for our Scholars

As we return to school next week, it’s time to transition habits and routines for our scholars to perform at their best during the academic day. Last week, we talked about impacts that sleep can make to support success at school.  Today, we will discuss the link between nutrition and academic performance.

Snacks often conjure the image of pre-packaged convenience foods and various sugar-filled treats found in vending machines that will ruin a child’s appetite for dinner.  The average American eats 2.2 snacks per day and can consume up to one-quarter of their total calories from snacks, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, healthy snacking provides your child’s brain with the nutrients it needs for the day and missing out on healthy snacks can negatively affect school performance.

There are many ways that healthy snacks can be beneficial.  Healthy snacks can:

1. Increase nutrient intake
   The average American is lacking in healthy food groups, such as fruits and vegetables.  Fresh, whole food snacks in proper portions can bridge this gap.

2. Sustain energy levels
   Healthy snacks boost energy and fuel proper growth and development for children.  Foods high in potassium help keep a child active and alert during the school day.

3. Contributes to emotional and physical well-being
   Snacking on fruit lowers anxiety, boosts mood and lowers emotional distress.

4. Boost your child’s brain

Children who snack on healthy foods like fruit perform better in school.  On the flip side, children who snack on sugary foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and other unhealthy foods like fast food don’t perform as well academically.

If you are looking for healthy snack ideas that your young scholars will actually eat, you can view our very own Skylar Marois, a second-grade teacher at Archway Veritas, as she shares some easy and fun recipes on a recent installment of The List.