The importance of good nutrition in schools

Menu development manager at Libelle, Anya Bell, stresses the importance of a good diet for children.

“Eating nutrient dense wholefoods is critical for children’s overall health, academic performance and wellbeing.

“As a key gatekeeper of children’s nutritional choices, schools play an important role providing nutritious meal options and guidance to healthy eating that makes a difference in their overall wellbeing now, but also lifelong wellbeing outcomes.”

Anya says schools should develop a nutrition culture that is firmly embedded in your school’s values. This will help children learn the skills to make well informed choices later in life.

“Sticking to water and plain milk are better drink choices. Schools should ensure there is a range of balanced meal options available that cover a range of food groups.

“Consider how your school will manage treat foods and the messages that you are sharing. There are healthier options of sweet foods and there are manufacturers who wholeheartedly support the opportunity to supply better choices.

“We know that children in Aotearoa generally do not achieve their RDI of vegetables and the important micronutrients that they get with these foods, so anything that ‘heroes’ vegetables will make a difference.

“Wholegrains provide more sustained energy than refined grains.

“Any meal or snack that contains a balance of wholegrains, vegetables, quality protein and healthy fats will go a long way to sustaining children throughout their school day. Within that framework there are plenty of enjoyable options.”

“During my degree, I was taught about NZ’s shortcomings in terms of implementing effective and equitable healthy eating initiatives and policies.

“We are living in an unhealthy and unsustainable food environment that has significant socioeconomic effects on our communities. When you begin to examine these population health issues, it can become overwhelming as a lot of progress is needed.

“I also became quite frustrated because these issues aren’t ‘low-hanging fruit’, as my lecturer termed it, so aren’t at the top of policymakers’ agendas.

“When I started working at Libelle I saw the tangible difference they make to the day-to-day lives of so many kids. The staff have such a lovely rapport with the students, and everyone truly takes pride in their work.

“It’s very motivating to work for a company that’s so passionate about making a difference.

“I’ve started my Master’s degree because I can see the benefits the Ka Ora Ka Ako program is having, and I want to be more educated and equipped to play a small part in improving the diets of kiwi kids.

“Working at Libelle, I’ve seen the collaboration between schools, the ministry and with public health professionals, which is exciting because collaboration is what it will take to keep tackling unhealthy eating in NZ.”

– Isabella Price, graduate student (nutrition) and current masters student