A Fed Mind - How Food Affects Our Emotions and Learning Ability

Health and education are closely related - this issue is no longer in doubt. There are more and more studies showing that proper nutrition not only promotes good disposition for study and work, but also improves the mental state of children.

Healthy emotions

According to a study, children who eat healthy (regardless of weight) have fewer emotional problems and better socialize with their peers. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg conducted a study among 7,675 children from eight European countries: Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Sweden. It turned out that children who followed a healthy diet had better self-esteem and fewer emotional problems at the beginning of their studies. After two years, their relations with their peers were also assessed higher. It is important that this relationship was not influenced by the socio-economic status of the parents and the child's weight.

The authors of the study assumed that the consumption of sugar in fat as well as the consumption of vegetables and fruit, as well as fish and whole grains was reduced as healthy eating. They also noticed the relationship between eating certain groups of products and the behavior of children. Consumption of fish, sugars and fats according to guidelines was associated with better self-esteem and no emotional problems, and the right amount of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains resulted in no problems with peers.

Focus on nutrition

Eating well also affects your ability to learn. Most students spend at least 5-6 hours in school. With this in mind, remember that your child should leave the house after eating breakfast. It is advisable to eat at least one meal while at school. Nutrition neglect has a negative impact on science:

• The ability to concentrate attention decreases,
• Activity in lessons decreases,
• Mood and well-being deteriorate,
• There may be abdominal pain, headache, a feeling of weakness,
• Unpleasant emotional states arise or intensify, e.g. irritation or agitation, which may cause conflicts with peers,
• The risk of injury increases - due to less concentration of attention and a longer reaction time.

Therefore, if we want our child to use his predispositions and skills in one hundred percent while learning, remember about proper, healthy and regular nutrition.

Nutrition education

Not only parents have an influence on instilling in their children the habit of healthy eating. An important element of this puzzle is also the school, whose task is to shape the correct attitudes of its pupils. Children at school learn, play, establish relationships with their peers, but also eat meals. Therefore, it is worth getting interested in what possibilities in this matter are offered by the facility attended by our child. In addition to breakfasts taken from home, the student can use the resources of the school shop or meals offered in the canteen. It is important that the school shop or the vending machine has healthy products available, not "junk" food, which children, unfortunately, eagerly eat. The school canteen should carry out the tasks of nutritional education and provide students with wholesome meals. It is also worth paying attention to school celebrations - do not let sweet, carbonated drinks, chips and sweets be their permanent element.

A healthy example

As research shows, not only regular, but most of all healthy and balanced meals affect the proper functioning of our body. Let's not forget about it to give your child the best possible start in the future. And it's best to start with yourself! After all, in a healthy body, a healthy mind. Let us be the best example for our children.