There is no doubt about the importance of proper nutrition for getting optimum health, peak brain performance and longevity. The matter of school nutrition is a big part of this. Nutritionist Avni Kaul says good food builds better bodies. Good school nutrition helps the child to be the best as they can be it their body or mind. Good nutrition plays particularly a critical role in developing a school-going child’s brain power.
With enhanced brain power a child is able to concentrate and focus better. This results in a child performing better in studies as this helps to enhance learning power. Similarly, good nutrition will help kids to excel in sports activities as it will enhance their muscle and bone development. In this article, Delhi’s top child nutritionist Avni Kaul talks about nutrition that can boost a child’s school performance.
Iron – Inadequate levels of iron in the diet of school-going children makes the kid feel more tired all throughout the day and more exposed to behavioural problems and poor results in school. Thus, it is essential to provide your school-going child meals that contain iron in it. Iron is a nutrient which is essential to your child’s growth and development. Iron helps to move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and helps muscles store and use oxygen. Some iron-based foods are spinach, kale, pineapple, and grapes.
Zinc – A deficiency of zinc in a school going kid can cause loss of appetite, growth retardation, and impaired immune function. While in severe cases it can result in loss of hair, delayed sexual maturation and diarrhoea. So, it is very important to provide proper zinc-based food to every school-going child. Whole grains, legumes, nuts, and apples.
Iodine – Why iodine is important? Because your thyroid glands need iodine to produce the hormones which control the metabolism, growth, and development. If children do not get sufficient iodine in their diets, they will develop iodine deficiency. This will result in thyroid gland increases in size. A few sources of iodine are iodized salt, eggs, cod, and yoghurt.
Vitamin A – Improper vitamin A weakens the immune system of your child and can result in increased absence from school. Which can lead to poor grades. Vitamin A is responsible for normal growth and development; tissue and bone repair and healthy skin, eyes, and immune responses. Milk, carrots, broccoli and sweet potatoes are potent sources of vitamin A.
Calcium – Bones carry a lot of calcium. If sufficient calcium is not consumed by your school going child then it can result in a weaker and brittle bone in your child’s body. Calcium is essential for the growth and development of school-going children and adolescents as it maintains strong bones and teeth while also helping in muscle contractions, nerve stimulations and regulating blood pressure. Good calcium intake will ensure that your school going child remains fit and seek active participation in sporting events. Well, known sources of calcium are beans, almonds, milk, and yogurt.
Protein – Protein is important for building, maintaining, and repairing the tissues in your school going child’s body. Protein is a macronutrient which is needed for building muscle mass. Protein provides the body with energy or calories. It means your kid will be not feeling sleepy or drowsy while inside his classroom. Besides, it helps to build new cells and helps in keeping skin, hair, bones, and organs in optimal shape. Yellow sweet corn, green peas, asparagus, and guavas contain a large amount of protein.
P.S. Every child develops differently as it depends upon various factors. So, you should never randomly ask your child to follow a certain diet plan which everybody does. Always, talk to your doctor or a qualified child nutritionist before starting any diet plan for your school going kids.
