Good morning! This is your Wellness Wake-Up Call with University of Illinois Extension.
As a new school year begins, help the children in your life succeed by fueling them with nutritious, brain-boosting foods. A well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy provides essential nutrients that support learning, memory, and overall well-being.
Limit ultra-processed foods in your child’s diet. Examples of these would be sugary drinks, packaged snacks like chips and candy, sweetened breakfast cereals, frozen meals, and processed meats like hot dogs, chicken nuggets and fish sticks. These are often high in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats, which can negatively impact academic performance and long-term health. Research consistently shows that healthier eating habits are linked to better focus, behavior, and educational outcomes.
Try these simple tips to support your child’s health and learning this school year:
· Prep healthy snacks and meals ahead of time so they’re quick and easy to grab.
· Involve your kids in choosing colorful fruits and vegetables. Wash and portion them into containers for easy, convenient snacks.
· Be a healthy role model by making better choices yourself.
· Talk to your children about why some foods are better for our bodies and brains than others.
· Pack lunches that include a variety of food groups to keep meals balanced and interesting.
Set your child up for success and start the school year strong with smart, nutritious choices that fuel both body and mind.
Thank you for listening! I hope you have a happy and healthy day ahead. Content for this episode was provided by Diane Reinhold, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension.
References:
https://www.american.edu/cas/health/nutrition/nutrition-academic-performance.cfm 06/05/2025
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3275817/
