Alternate Article #1 by Carol Thesing

Food For Thought Education Leadership, Vol. 56 #3, 1998

The article tell what and how students eat have a profound effect on their abilities to learn. It says learning begins in the stomach.

What learners eat is very critical because chemicals primarily made from substances we eat affect brain development and functioning. Chemicals released by the brain as response to stress and foods are important because both can effectively prevent higher order thinking. The article goes on to say when students have nutritious foods available and eat while studying, they earn statistically higher test scores and demonstrate more positive attitudes toward school. Concentration and learning are more than the result of just eating. They are the results of eating nutritious foods.

I feel this is the core to the problem. Too many children, adults too for that matter, are filling up with high fat, high calorie, low nutritious foods. Pop being a food that is a major problem in our children and adults diets today. When pop is the major beverage consumed, it substitutes its calories and no nutrients for foods or beverages that could provide much more.

The article states many children drink as many as 10 15 cans a pop a day. Diet pop with aspartame can cause learning disabilities in students that consume that much. Other symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, cranky disposition and symptoms associated with depression.

Children require breakfast with high levels of protein and a balanced diet with complex carbohydrates throughout the day.

Everyone knows good nutrition is important for our childrens health. Why then is their so little emphasis on making it a priority. Why are there so many pop machines and a la carte junk food choices in our schools. Melva Matkin, principal in San Antonio suggests it is because of strong resistance from students, parents, and faculty that rely on the generous income it generates. They say if the school doesnt provide it, the students will just get it else where. Child nutrition directors from the 50 states agree and find similar findings.

So what can be done? Teachers are teaching the importance of good nutritious choices to their students but action of parents, administrations, school boards, and politicians are equally important.

I do not think nutrition can be emphasized enough to all age groups but especially for children. They should have guidance and limits put on certain food choices. Certain limits with food for children often become habits for them as adults. We can help set limits by what is available in our schools and our homes. In my opinion, pop should definitely be a limited food!

When speaking with my colleagues, they felt I went a little over board on limits but they did agree that the correct foods have a profound effect on learning. I feel this is a major problem for children and adults alike. Stress reduction is just one area gained by eating a good breakfast. Oh well, that is a topic for another article.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 1999

Answers

Carol, Thanks for responding to my Feb. "Fast Company" article. I sometimes feel like most of the people around me are so into technology that I'm dragging my feet. Good to know I'm not alone!

In a conversation I had with a colleauge recently we were discussing the high levels of pop kids consume. She had read a article predicting that the rise in Osteoporosis among teens and younger children was going to be over-whelming in the very near future. Sad, but probably pretty accurate. Do you see the newer fruit beverages as better choices, and are kids choosing them any more frequently than pop. I know price could be a factor here. Interesting! Kari

-- Anonymous, March 04, 1999