With a new school year right around the corner, it is important to remember to prepare a proper lunch, as it can be beneficial for students.

School will be going back in session on September 3rd for the Sun West School division, and many students and parents will be packing lunches that may not be the healthiest they can be.

Melanie Warken, a public health nutritionist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, shares the importance of developing children receiving a healthy diet.

“Children need nutritious food and beverages, not only for healthy growth and development, but it also has a very positive impact on their behaviour, and their learning outcome. So it’s important that a child has access when their in a school environment.”

It is important for children to have a more balanced and nutritious diet, as it helps with their growth and development. Even skipping breakfast can negatively affect a child’s performance in school, as children who don’t eat breakfast may feel more tired, and have trouble concentrating.

Often times, children will refuse to eat parts of their lunches if it’s something they don’t like. A good tip is to have kids help with the preparation of their lunches, and aim for including snacks that are good for them that they also enjoy. Children also have smaller stomachs, which require refueling more often than adults. Packing more nutritious snacks will help to keep them satisfied between meals, as well as provide energy and important nutrients.

Another factor in a student’s nutrition can be the environment that they’re living in. A child’s home may have much different food than what they can get at school or from a store. Warken says that, in regards to environment, student nutrition is a responsibility shared by more than just the parents.

“We feel it’s really important that everybody has a roll and responsibility in making sure healthy food is accessible to children no matter what environment they’re in, so those nutritious foods and vegetables can have a positive impact on their growth and their health, but also their behaviour and their learning outcome.”

A healthy diet is one of the few things that people universally agree is good, but it’s especially important for children. A young mind is like a sponge; it takes in everything it experiences. One can be sure that one of the things children take in and learn is the importance of eating healthy, and staying away from bad eating habits that they may come to regret later in life.