What is a healthy diet for school students?

A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for everyone, but especially for school-aged children (6-12 years). These children must consume a variety of foods from each food group to receive an adequate supply of all vitamins and minerals. At the same time, they may face new challenges in terms of food preferences and habits. Decisions about what to eat are influenced in part by what is provided at school, at home, my friends at school, and by the media, particularly television. Poor nutrition jeopardises not only school-aged children's quality of life but also their ability to benefit from education. To achieve optimal nutrition, a healthy diet for school students entails eating three meals per day and two nutritious snacks, as well as limiting the intake of high sugar and high-fat foods.

How does a healthy diet for students help them?

Many medical problems can be avoided by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products, including three servings of milk, cheese, or yoghurt to meet their calcium requirements and is deemed as a healthy diet for school students. This includes gaining weight, developing bone weakness, and developing diabetes. Adequate nutrition for school-aged children will also ensure that they reach their full potential and lay the foundation for a healthy life. School-aged children grow significantly, albeit at a slower rate, while remaining physically active in general. As a result, their nutritional requirements are high and urgent. Furthermore, genetic background, gender, body size, and shape all play a role in nutrient requirements. A recent review of research on the effects of zinc, iodine, iron, and folate deficiencies on cognitive development in school-aged children revealed that nutrition affects children's ability to think.

What can parents do to ensure a healthy diet for school students?

Since parents are role models for their children, any dietary habits formed by the parent are likely to be reflected in the child. When providing a healthy diet for school students at home, adults can have a positive influence on children's eating patterns by modelling healthy eating habits. Parents should provide a variety of foods and establish regular meal and snack times for their children.

During the primary school years, a greater proportion of meals may be consumed away from home in the school setting. The majority of the snacks consumed are high-fat foods. Snacks can contribute up to a significant portion of a school child's total daily energy and nutrient needs. As a result of poor snack selection, too many high-energy, low-nutrient foods are consumed.

How does Go Sharpener help students?

On the Go Sharpener platform, students get a chance to learn about a healthy diet and its value. They participate in many interesting activities which motivate them to learn and be a part of our fun sessions. For example, They are referred to as Wellness Champ by being a part of interesting activities like Yoga se Hoga, Vegan Champ, Carbon Footprint of the Fridge,   Family BMI Tracker, and many more. Students are rewarded for taking action in these areas such as environmental conservation, youth and child rights, health and nutrition, and animal care. They can be a part of many more activities which will lead to better development of students, For example, Chief Animal officers by being a part of interesting activities like Creating an animal feeder, Adopt a Street dog, Manage a Cow Shala,  Animal Saviour Squad and you can be an Earthivist by being a part of interesting activities like RO water outlet optimization, Rain Water Harvesting plant,  Compost Bin in Kitchen, Building butterfly nursery, and many more. Also keeping track of student actions and rewards results in the creation of a Digital Impact Profile. Scholarships, free internships for high school students, and gift cards are available as incentives. Rewards are released upon completion of threshold contribution, (for example, saving 1000L of water in three months, adopting five street animals, planting ten trees, teaching a skill to five new peers, and many more). So, Join communities, discuss ideas, take action, win rewards and build your impact report card.

More opportunities are available on our website, which can be accessed by clicking here.