Nutrition & Emotional wellbeing in children
We often hear the phrase – you are what you eat. And although the meaning of accepted anecdotes tends to wash over us, it is worth pausing to consider and truly understand the message of this one. Particularly during this week – Children’s Mental Health Week – where the wellbeing of the younger generation is front and centre of the national news agenda.
So, breaking it down, mood and food are linked. A topic we talk about often and have an abundance of passion for here at B Sow Healthy. What we put into our body matters, with nutrients playing a crucial role in the production of neurotransmitters like Serotonin, the feel good chemical, which is influenced by tryptophan found in nuts, seeds, wholegrains and meat. Brain health, hormonal impact and the gut-brain connection are closely linked to eating a variety of healthy whole foods – all of which are important for growing children and teens.
The science supports this, with a 2021 study published in the journal of BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, finding that children who eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day have better mental health.
After analysing the data recorded from 9,000 children across 50 primary and secondary schools in Norfolk, researchers found that a quarter of secondary-school children and 28% of primary-school children reported eating the recommended 5-a-day. One in 10 children were not eating any fruit or vegetables at all.
It was also found that a higher intake of fruit and vegetables links directly to better emotional wellbeing, and that a nutritious breakfast and lunch does the same for pupils across all age groups.
One in five secondary-school children didn’t eat breakfast and more than one in 10 didn’t eat lunch. It was also uncovered that secondary-school children who drank energy drinks at breakfast had particularly low mental wellbeing scores, even lower than children consuming no breakfast at all.
This study was the first of its kind to associate emotional wellbeing to fruit and vegetable consumption and breakfast and lunch choices of UK schoolchildren. And, with record numbers of young people seeking access to NHS mental health services, it is essential that the idea that nutrition impacts mental as well as physical health is adopted.
Although we now know this to be true, the cost of living crisis has seen food prices soar, with some families finding it much harder to access nutritious food at an affordable price. This is one of the reasons why we champion simple recipes with reasonably-priced ingredients lists, to create fuss-free meals for all the family to enjoy. We have a host of recipe inspiration on our website from main meals to lunches and snacks – all designed to equip you with ideas and shopping lists to take back control of your health to better support yourself and your family.
So, perhaps this week is a sign to make some adjustments? We would love to hear your thoughts on this issue over on our facebook page @bsowhealthy – especially if you are a parent of primary or secondary school-aged children. Let’s keep the conversation going – and make sure the ‘you are what you eat’ message doesn’t continue to wash over us.