As parents, we want to provide our children with the best possible food and nutrition to grow healthy and happy. A study conducted by the University of East Anglia found that the intake of fruits and vegetables is related to schoolchildren’s mental wellbeing. There is a correlation between children who have many fruits and vegetables and better mental health.
The investigation involved over 9,000 schoolchildren in the UK
The research highlighted that children who eat five or more portions of veggies and fruits daily have higher mental wellbeing scores. Over 9,000 children from 50 UK schools participated in the study led by the UEA Health and Social Care Partners and Norfolk County Council.
Because the results pinpointed the importance of fruits and vegetables, schools and governments should provide the best options for school breakfasts and lunches. Unfortunately, the study revealed that only 28% of the participants ate five fruits or veggies a day, and under 1% of the children did not eat any fruits or vegetables.
Traditional breakfasts and lunches are healthier than quick snacks
The study further revealed that participants who ate traditional breakfast and lunches had better mental health than those who ate quick snacks and drinks. Once more, the importance of cooked meals and healthy snack is proven in scientific studies. Public health strategies should be created around scientific findings and provide school children with the healthiest and safest food options during school years.
One of the authors of the study. Dr. Richard Hayhoe, from the UAE Norwich Medical School, declared:
We found that eating well was associated with better mental wellbeing in children. And that among secondary school children, in particular, there was a really strong link between eating a nutritious diet packed with fruit and vegetables and having better mental wellbeing.
We also found that the types of breakfast and lunch eaten by both primary and secondary school pupils were also significantly associated with wellbeing.
In conclusion, we can try our best to provide our children with fruits and veggies as snacks or cooked in full meals.