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...Adequate hydration may also improve cognitive function in children and adolescents, which is important for learning. It is well known that children and especially teens are chronically dehydrated. Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and manifest as hunger, leading to overeating. Please encourage your student to bring their refillable water bottle with them to school each day.
Be mindful of "empty calories". These are foods that lack nutritional value. Convenience foods such as packaged snacks (gummies), chips, sports drinks, and sodas are common sources of empty calories and can leave a child feeling sluggish and unable to concentrate. Replace these with foods such as string cheese, yogurt, whole grain pasta, nut and seed butters, and whole fruits and vegetables for more vitamins and fiber.
The best way to encourage healthy eating habits in your student is to model them yourself. Click here for more information and ideas.
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