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The Importance of Food Education in the Classroom

May 14, 2015

Maintaining a healthy diet is an integral part of both growing and learning. A child’s brain needs proper nourishment so that they are able to come to school each day and give academics their all!

Founded in 2002 by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation works to promote healthier lifestyles through food education in classrooms worldwide. This year, Oliver has named tomorrow, May 15, as Food Revolution Day, or Food Education Day. This is a day devoted to advocating for the addition of food education to all school curriculum.

But why is teaching nutrition and healthy eating habits so important in the classroom? Here’s a list of the top three reasons why you should consider adding a health food unit to your lesson plans!

iStock_000016969521_Small1. Food keeps education exciting. For children, learning about food is an exciting break from good old math, english and history. As much as we wish it wasn’t true, we’re willing to bet that no matter what they’re learning, your students will be more than happy to take a break to test out a new healthy snack, or debunk a junk food myth!

2. It’s information for a lifetime. Lessons on nutrition will stick with a student from childhood all the way through adulthood. Teaching a child how to read a nutrition label is a skill that is extremely beneficial in the real world. Once they know what to look out for, you’re sure to see an influx in fruits and veggies at snack time! Before you know it they’ll be college students, stocking up the mini-fridge and bypassing the frozen food aisle.

3. Food for thought. As we mentioned, the brain needs nourishment to thrive. We’ve all heard it before: A healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But why? According to KidsHealth, “choosing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein while low in added sugar may boost kids’ attention spans, concentration, and memory — which they need to learn in school.” Teaching your students healthy eating habits can have a tremendous effect on their overall academic output.

At Nickerson Corporation, we know how important it is for children to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle in the classroom, and are committed to providing quality classroom furniture solutions to promote a positive learning environment. Founded in 1952, Nickerson Corporation has been serving and supplying schools in the New York and New Jersey areas for over 60 years. For more information about the variety of classroom furniture products available, please contact us at 631-666-0200 today.