Lesson Plans - Healthy Eating Improves Learning

Healthy eating is necessary for the normal growth and development of children and youth.

Research shows a clear link between adequate nutrition and school performance. Students who eat well are:

• More willing to learn.
• Better able to concentrate, remember and apply information.
• More likely to have positive relationships with classmates.
• Less likely to be involved in discipline issues.

Inadequate nutrition can lead to nutrient (e.g., calcium, the B vitamins and iron) deficiencies, some of which can impact learning.

Keys for Optimal Learning

1. Use Canada's Food Guide as a tool to plan healthier meals, snacks and beverage options.

• Select foods from at least three of the 4 food groups for a balanced lunch
• Select food from at least one of the 4 food groups for healthy snacks

2. Eat a nutritious breakfast daily. This helps students be better prepared to participate in school learning.
3. Provide enough time to eat within a safe and pleasant environment.

School Nutrition Programs are a way schools can play in both encouraging healthy habits and improving the learning potential of children.