With school back in session, it’s time to start thinking about what your kids will be eating for lunch. When choosing what to make for lunch, selecting healthy options is important!
Through their studies, The Brookings Institute found that academic performance is directly affected by food quality. Academic findings continue to prove that mental and behavioral issues among students can oftentimes be traced back to unhealthy nutrition or poor eating habits, and diets with high amounts of trans and saturated fats are found to have a negative impact on children’s cognition. Access to proper nutritional meals may reduce aggression and irritability in children as well as maintain psychosocial well-being. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in five American children are overweight, and studies have found that the typical meals provided at schools tend to be less healthy than the average American diet. Students of schools that contract with a healthy school lunch vendor, however, are found to have higher scores on state achievement tests.
Though the struggle for healthier lunch options in schools continues, there are things you can do at home to ensure that your child is eating a nutritious meal while they’re at school. First, establish that green is good! Find ways to make vegetables fun for your children to eat. The Museum’s cafe, Bean Sprouts, offers organic, healthy options in a playful presentation to engage children in making their own nutritional decisions.
You can also make meals to take to school together! In our Eat Better Art program, you can learn how to make healthy lunch options with your child. Coming up on October 7, this class is designed to bring parents and children together in the kitchen as they learn about good nutrition and create delicious dishes. Eat Better Art offers families a new way to think, play and create at the Museum. Join us for some food-making fun!
