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Nutrition
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
-Hippocrates

Disease Prevention

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Fiber is one component in many fruits, vegetables, and grains that is responsible for disease prevention (Slavin & Lloyd, 2012). In general, the role of a high-fiber diet has been associated with an improved immune system thus leading to the prevention of chronic diseases (Anderson, Baird, Davis, Ferreri, Knudtson, Koraym & Waters, 2009). Due to the effects of a better gut health, an increase in insulin sensitivity, and decreased blood pressure levels, chronic diseases that can be prevented from a nutritious diet are as follows:
 

  • Type 2 Diabetes

  • Obesity

  • Hypertension

  • Stroke

  • Cardiovascular Disease

  • Cancer

Enhanced Energy and Satiety

That satisfying feeling from eating a delicious meal is known as satiety. Well-balanced meals allow the body to receive the nutrients it wants, while making you feel full for longer. Slavin & Lloyd (2012) note that one single food or food-group will not provide all the necessary nutrients to fuel the body. The most successful approach is to receive a variety.

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To find more information on how to balance your meals check out the USDA MyPlate website

You can visit the Options for Youth website to find out the health benefits and nutrients provided by each food color

For reliable information about all things nutrition, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website

Academic Performance

Students who consumed breakfast 5 days or more out of the week have a significantly higher GPA at or above 3.49, a longer attention span, and a higher exam passing rate than those who consumed very little breakfast out of the week (Reuter, Forster & Brister, 2021).

All of the different macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fat) along with the vitamins and minerals, allow the body to stay fueled and focused during school. This can help improve memory, alertness, and allow for faster information processing (Options For Youth, 2019).

Better visual memory performance, concepts you see, are positively associated with fruit consumption. An improvement in learning scores and learning performance is positively associated with fish and shellfish consumption. Water and other fluids are positively associated with memory and verbal memory performance, or the ability to remember what you read or hear (Pilato, Beezhold & Radnitz, 2022).

Are you struggling with eating a diet that fits your needs?

Unable to purchase healthy foods due to a low budget and would like assistance?

If you are a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding, has children up to age 5, and in a low-income household you may be eligible for nutritional information and feeding assistance. 

Free food distributions are available in many communities

         Tips & External Links

References

Anderson, J. W., Baird, P., Davis, R. H.,Jr, Ferreri, S., Knudtson, M., Koraym, A., Waters, V., &

Williams, C. L. (2009). Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutrition Reviews, 67(4), 188-205. 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00189.x

Options For Youth. (2019). The importance of eating healthy for students. OFY education blog.

Retrieved from https://ofy.org/blog/the-importance-of-eating-healthy-for-students/#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20students,alertness%2C%20and%20faster%20information%20processing.

Pilato, I. B., Beezhold, B., & Radnitz, C. (2022). Diet and lifestyle factors associated with

cognitive performance in college students. Journal of American College Health, 70(7), 2230-2236. 10.1080/07448481.2020.1847118

Reuter, P. R., Forster, B. L., & Brister, S. R. (2021). The influence of eating habits on the

academic performance of university students. Journal of American College Health, 69(8), 921-927. 10.1080/07448481.2020.1715986

Slavin, J. L., & Lloyd, B. (2012). Health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Advances in Nutrition

(Bethesda, Md.), 3(4), 506-516. 10.3945/an.112.002154

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