From Our 2013 Archives
Good Nutrition Can Boost School Performance, Expert Says
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SUNDAY, Aug. 25 (HealthDay News) -- A healthy diet can help students excel in school, a registered dietitian says.
One of the best ways to jump-start a successful school day is to provide children with a nutritious morning meal, says Debby Boutwell, a clinical dietitian in the division of nutrition therapy at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
This doesn't necessarily mean serving traditional breakfast foods, however. For school children, Boutwell recommends a breakfast that includes high-fiber grains, fruit and dairy products. Here are some options:
Children should be having even more nutrient-rich foods for lunch, to help them stay alert throughout the day, Boutwell advised. She noted that using the website, myplate.gov, can help parents pack healthy lunches for their children. Half of a child's lunch should be fruits and vegetables, and at least half of the grains eaten at lunch should be whole grains, Boutwell said. Fats and sweets should be kept to a minimum.
Among Boutwell's other lunchtime tips for school children:
-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas
SOURCE: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, news release, Aug. 14, 2013