Students rarely choose sports and physical activity instead of video games and the Internet. In the same way, they rarely give preference to healthy and balanced nutrition when there are sugary snacks and fatty fast foods. As a result, digitalized and fast food lifestyle leads to a lack of energy and motivation. While such nutrition for students doesn’t provide any energy, they can focus neither on studying, nor on fitness activities. On a biological level , sugar and flour ruin their metabolism, and cause insulin instability and weight gain.

Physical activity is extremely important for students, who are used to sedentary exposure. At the same time, a balanced diet is an integral part of their fitness life. Optimal nutrition for students that includes fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meat, protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats boosts both mental and physical activity. Fresh water or hydroxide water is also an important component of balanced diet. The daily amount of water one should consume is half one’s body weight. Body needs water to improve metabolism and get rid of unnecessary elements through sweating and urination. On the contrary, fast food and sugary drink harm our health in many ways, being a number one reason for obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. No need to say that it also causes problems with self-esteem and depressive states.

When students go in for sports, it is necessary for them to consume even more water than a common daily norm. Hydroxide water is even better for those, who work out. The reason is that hydroxide ion finds free H+ ions and takes them away from harmful acids, decreasing inflammation. Also, ions’ activity increases physical intensity of the body and improves one’s performance in a gym.

Sugary drinks like juices and soda as well as sport and diet drinks should be excluded from a healthy nutrition for students plan. Due to sugar and artificial dyes, they cause poor insulin response. In fact, all artificial sweeteners cause insulin secretion, even when they are low-caloric. The level of chemicals in one’s daily nutrition should be lowered as much as possible. Those, who work out in a gym, should drink two glasses of water before training and one glass every 30 minutes of activity.

How parents should contribute to healthy life of their kids?

Every habit starts with the family; therefore, parents should strive to be positive examples. Incorporating healthy meals into everyday schedule will help children get used to such nutrition. At the same time, daily exercises will give you additional energy for both family and work duties.

When children watch their parents doing something, they usually copy their actions. Here are some tips on how to encourage kids to develop good eating habits:

  • Instead of serving a post-dinner dessert, it’s better to take a walk or have a game of chess;
  • Take your children to the store and let them pick colorful fruits and vegetables and have fun;
  • Cook healthy breakfasts and let your children know that eating in the morning is important;
  • Find new tasty recipes more often to show that healthy eating can be diverse.

Healthy eating and breakfasts in particular help children focus better at school and be more physically active. It’s important to eliminate candies, chips, chocolate and other treats from their everyday menu. It’s better to have healthy sweets at home, like dry fruits, nuts, and sugar-free snacks.

Sometimes, children and youngsters have bad nutrition for students habits because they don’t know how to make healthy choices. As a parent, you need to give that knowledge to your kids. It’s important to let them know that eating is not just about consuming everything that you want. Explain that it is about consuming what you (and your body) needs. They won’t feel frustrated about a necessity to eat fruits instead of candies and grains instead of French fries if their attitude would be adequate and smart. Be a healthy example!

If you are not sure that you can handle it, you can get a healthcare professional to consult you and your kids. These experts can help parents create a meal plan that will suit all members of the family. As such, kids will start their healthy diet gradually, without frustration about “good old days” they miss. If you don’t have an idea about reliable nutritionists, then you can get yourself some relevant books and journals – there is a plenty of them on the web. It is also great to encourage your children to enroll into sport sections and fitness classes at school.

Here are some more healthy tips to transform your family routine into healthier one:

  • Motivate your kids to play outside. It is even better when you play active games or do exercise together. Family competitions will not only make you healthier, but your bonds will become stronger;
  • TV and video games should be limited. Outside activities should prevail over cartoons and computers;
  • Eat fruits and vegetables every day. You can eat as much of them as you want, because they are calorie-wise. What is more, fruits and vegetables are natural antioxidants that prevent various diseases;
  • Keep healthy snacks at home. Energetic games and fresh air will boost kids’ appetite, therefore it’s great to have some nuts, chopped fruits and vegetables or sugar-free bars on your table;
  • Forget about soda and juice. If you are used to drink juices, because you think that they might be healthy – remember that this is just marketing. In the reality, juices are no less packed with sugar than soda;
  • Let your children have enough meals. If they feel hungry or dizzy during the day, they might have difficulties with physical training and studying. Ask them if they are not feeling hungry. Increase portion size or add another meal to keep them full of energy. This is especially important for those kids, who go in for sports.

About the Author

Jennifer Pauli graduated from Corvinus School of Management and finished the faculty of Journalism at Corvinus University of Budapest. Currently, she is an editor, business writer, and copywriter, working with  well-known companies, blogs, and personalities. Follow her on Twitter and LInkedin