We all know the phrase “you are what you eat” — and it couldn’t be truer when it comes to the brain. What you ingest directly correlates with how you think, remember, and focus that day. Remember this the next time you drink a cup of coffee instead of eating breakfast!
Nutrition is especially important for brains that are still growing and learning to ensure that kids and teens stay focused and alert. Healthy eating at school can set the tone for how well students perform and help them establish good habits well into adulthood.
How Nutrition Affects the Brain
When we think about nutrition, we often think about the physical implications, such as weight and energy. But nutrition plays just as important a role in the brain’s ability to function. The brain has two main jobs, the first being to communicate with the other organs in the body and tell them their functions. To do this, brain cells, known as neurons, send these messages throughout the body.
The brain’s other important job is to perform cognitive tasks. This would include how we think, learn, memorize, use our imagination, organize, and concentrate. Of course, this, in turn, affects your ability to get through the day and even regulate your emotions.
A good diet will help improve brain function by encouraging the production of new neurons and the connections between neurons, ultimately improving cognitive functioning. The opposite is true for a bad diet. Instead of helping to produce these neurons, it can actually encourage the release of stress hormones and cause inflammation in certain parts of the brain, negatively affecting one’s cognitive ability.
Nutrition and Students’ Academic Performance
Eating healthy sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to a student succeeding in school. Better eating means better cognitive function, leading to better concentration, ending with better academic achievement. Just think about how difficult it is to focus while your stomach grumbles!
A study from the CDC found that dietary behavior had a direct correlation to academic grades. Here’s a glimpse at some of the results:
- 42% of students who ate breakfast 7 days a week had mostly A’s, compared to 20% with mostly D/F’s
- 66% of students who ate vegetables one or more times per day had mostly A’s, compared to 52% with mostly D/F’s
- 41% of students who don’t drink soda or pop had mostly A’s, compared to 21% with mostly D/F’s
- Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, and science backs this up. Regular breakfast is associated with improved memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Kids who eat school breakfast achieve 17.5% higher on standardized math tests.
2024-2025 Classroom Volunteers
Should you wish to volunteer in your child's classroom or be a chaperone on a field trip please ensure that you have completed fingerprinting, background checks, and the CMG program. You may pick up a volunteer packet in the front office. Please know that this clearance process takes between four and six weeks.
Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School
Email: mbello@ollv.org
Website: https://www.ollvschool.org/
Location: 3046 Alta Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89107, USA
Phone: (702) 802-2323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurLadyofLVSchool
Twitter: @OurLadyLVSchool