Does it really matter what children eat?
Yes. Very simply, evidence shows that when children eat better, they do better – in many different ways:
Better health – the food children eat today shapes how they will eat for the rest of their lives. Too many children are still growing up overweight or obese because of poor diet, while others are malnourished. Our research shows that better food in schools is improving what children eat during the school day, and there’s growing evidence to suggest that in schools where more children have school meals, fewer pupils are dangerously overweight.
Better achievement and behaviour – there’s a clear link between what children eat at lunchtime in school, where they eat it and how they focus with their teachers in the afternoon. Improve the first two and children concentrate better in the afternoons.
Better diet overall – research shows that better food in schools affects what children choose to eat at other times too. When children have better cooking skills, their ability to recognise healthier foods improves and they eat a healthier diet. Read our Let’s Get Cooking evaluation to find out more.
Access help with improving food at your nursery here.
Access help on improving children’s cooking skills. www.letsgetcooking.org.uk
