Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Back to school means getting back into a routine that helps students achieve success in the new school year. Start the year off on solid footing by making good nutrition part of your child’s schedule. Multiple studies have shown that good nutrition plays a huge role in academic success. Debby Boutwell, RD, CSP, a clinical dietitian in the Division of Nutrition Therapy at Cincinnati Children’s, says multiple studies have shown that poor nutrition adversely effects school performance and overall achievement.
Boutwell says that the best way parents can help their children nutritionally is by making sure they have a healthy morning meal. Even though the meal is called “breakfast” it doesn’t mean breakfast foods must be eaten. The goal is to have your child eat a variety of nutrient rich foods, such as high-fiber, nutrient rich grains, fruits and dairy products. The following are some ideas parents can try:
Boutwell says parents need to make sure their children have a healthy lunch, too. Many studies have shown that children who eat healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches aren’t just more alert throughout the day, they also earn better grades than those who don’t eat healthy.
Boutwell gives the following tips to parents on how to ensure healthy nutrition for their child:
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S.News and World Report’s 2013 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking. It is ranked #1 for cancer and in the top 10 for nine of 10 pediatric specialties. Cincinnati Children’s is one of the top two recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and a research and teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The medical center is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org. Connect on the Cincinnati Children’s blog, via Facebook and on Twitter.