Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - May/June 2022 - 15

who does not eat a pork hot dog could be served meat
alternatives, like a peanut butter sandwich and yogurt,
to still fulfill the meal pattern requirements on those
days.
Similar to other dietary preferences that are not
disabilities, these accommodations cannot stray
from the required meal patterns based on grade
levels and the meal being served.
NUTRITION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
It's worth noting that proper nutrition is not just a
health issue, but an academic issue as well. The meals
you serve in your foodservice program can impact a
child's capacity to learn.
Looking through the lens of nutrients, we know that
vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) play a role in
learning outcomes. Among children that were deficient
in micronutrients, supplementation was associated with
increases in fluid intelligence, according to a review in
Clinical Nutrition.
There is also research on specific micronutrients. For
example, research in Advances in Nutrition found that
children's Vitamin B12 status was linked to improved
cognitive measures, academic performance, and
developmental indexes across several studies. Similarly,
a recent systematic review in Nutrients noted that 11 of
16 studies found a connection between iron status and
academic performance.
At a big picture view, we can also examine the impact
of broader dietary patterns. For example, breakfast
and overall diet quality may influence academic
performance. A 2017 systematic review in the Journal of
Human Nutrition and Dietetics concluded that " moderate
associations exist for dietary intakes characterized by
regular breakfast consumption, lower intakes of energydense,
nutrient-poor foods and overall diet quality with
respect to outcomes of academic achievement. "
Similarly, a 2020 review in the International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health found that
poor diet quality-characterized by low consumption of
fish and produce and a high consumption of fast food,
processed meat, and soft drinks-has been linked to poor
cognitive health and lower academic achievement.
Several studies have also found positive associations
between universal school meal programs and student
outcomes. For example, some studies (but not all) have
linked universal meals to better attendance and academic
performance. These benefits may vary based on school meal
quality, age, socioeconomic status, and the student's original
nutrition status.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The future of our nation lies in the hands (and stomachs) of
its children. Nutrient-dense food can help support growth,
development, and learning. By understanding key nutrients
and how to support children with different dietary needs, we
put this generation on the path towards health and academic
success, both now and later in life. E
REFERENCES
Scan QR code to view the list of
resources for this article.
CHRISSY CARROLL, MPH, RD |
chrissy@snackinginsneakers.com
Chrissy Carroll is a registered dietitian, freelance writer, and brand
consultant based in central Massachusetts.
NUTRITION & F OOD SER VICE EDGE | MAY-JUNE 2022 15
Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - May/June 2022

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