This infographic explains why it is so incredibly important to nourish our children with healthy foods. Healthy eating = success at school, increased focus, better grades, and so much more.

1. BACK TO SCHOOL
and the importance of proper nutrition for successful learning and overall well-being
FOCUSING
is a challenge for many
kids when it comes
to learning at school.
There are simple things
parents can do to help.
According to Michigan State University,
around 1 million kindergartners are
misdiagnosed with ADHD each year.
Healthy snacks & meals are key when it comes to helping our youth focus and succeed
BREAKFAST MID-MORNING LUNCH TIME
SNACK
sugary cereals, pizza,
sugary juice boxes, white
toast, fast-food
cookies, muffins, white
crackers, candy, energy
drinks, potato chips
white bread with pb&j,
pizza rolls, cheese sticks,
lunchables, fast-food
SKIP SKIP SKIP
CONSEQUENCES OF A POOR DIET
these af fect a child’s overall health, cognitive development, and school performance
ENERGY
IMBALANCE
INCREASED
CANCER
RISK
WEIGHT
GAIN &
OBESITY
UNDER-NOURISHMENT
RISK
EATING BEHAVIORS
OF OUR CHILDREN
40% of the calories that children
consume (ages 2-18) are empty calories.
These calories are made up of unecessary
added sugars and fats.
•Majority of kids do not eat the This comes from 6 main sources:
recommended amount of fruits and
veggies per day.
FRUIT
•Most children do not consume the
SODA
DRINKS
minimum amount of whole grains per day.
•Sodium is over-consumed to the
extreme. This leads to future health
problems leading into adulthood.
DAIRY
DESSERTS
GRAIN
DESSERTS
PIZZA
WHOLE
MILK
Let’s crush these facts and help our kids live long and prosper!
Here are some great ideas for healthy & fulfilling back to school foods:
PITA FOR
PROTEIN
1. Slice of
fresh Turkey
2. Place in whole-grain
pita pocket
3. Add lettuce or
spinach inside it
4. Add grapes or
apples on the side
SKIP SKIP
Deli meat - high sodium
& processed ingredients
Fruit cups - added corn
syrup & refined sugars
Leftover cooked
Turkey or Chicken -
low fat & high protein
Whole fruits -
natural sugars with
plenty of vitamins
Instead of veggies
on the side, sneak
them into your
pasta sauces.
Switch out all
white grains &
breads for whole
wheats & grains.
Stop serving
sugary cereals -
replace with whole
grain options.
Forget the salty
potato chips - how
about giving veggie
sticks a try?
Switch mayo for
greek yogurt &
peanut butter for
almond butter.
SKIP
Cookies & Cakes
Try out graham
crackers or natural
granola bars.
SKIP
Ranch dressing
Try making the
permanant change
to Hummus.
Sources:
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/facts.htm, www.adavvy.com/article/healthy-lunch-substitutions
www.empoweringparents.com/blog/adhd-add/nearly-one-million-chidren-per-year-misdiagnosed-with-addadhd/#