Famalies foodbank dependancies for diet nutrition could impact childs learning by diane shawe 2016

1 in 5 Parents can't feed Children

70% Families suffering food poverty

School Holidays are particularly difficult

INTRODUCTION

Families Foodbanks Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact a Child's Learning Ability

While the intake of food is vital for proper performance, many of the widely available and popular foods in foodbanks today are probably or actually hindering children’s abilities to learn. Some well-meaning gifts to the foodbanks could be loaded with sugars, caffeine, chemicals, and sodium, many popular menu items are leaving kids and parents tired, unfocused, jittery, and sick

Diane Shawe M.Ed 29th October 2016

Families Foodbanks Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact a Child's Learning Ability April 2016, Whitehall Correspondent Charlie Cooper reported in the Independent that Food bank usage is at a record high - and the true scale of hunger could be far greater The Trussell Trust reveals continued rise, but a separate report estimates more than half of the emergency food aid supplied in Britain comes from independent organisations not included in the charity's figures While the intake of food is vital for proper performance, many of the widely available and popular foods in foodbanks today are probably or actually hindering children’s abilities to learn. Some well meaning gifts to the foodbanks could be loaded with sugars, caffeine, chemicals, and sodium, many popular menu items are leaving kids and parents tired, unfocused, jittery, and sick—which not only impact concentration, grades and performance, but also influences their behaviour and moods.

Foodbank Food could contribute towards Malnutrition and Deprivation

Today, it is estimated that one out of three kids is overweight; surprisingly, both overweight and underweight kids may be deemed as malnourished. A lack of proper food intake is known as malnutrition/malnourishment, and it does not only imply that there is a lack of food; moreover, malnutrition signifies a lack of nutrients.

Families Foodbank Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact on Childs learning ability by Diane Shawe M.Ed

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Therefore, while most foodbank children may be taking in a great deal of calories, they may not be taking in any essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. This lack in vitamins and minerals leads to detrimental sideeffects, according to Mary Gavin from the Nemours Foundation. Children with insufficient diets are reported to have more problems with health, academic learning, and psychosocial behaviour.

Malnutrition can result in long-term neural issues in the brain, which can impact a child’s emotional responses, reactions to stress, learning disabilities, and other medical complications. In a specific study, researchers Margaret Lahey and Shari Rosen discovered that, “Malnourished children […] were found to have delays in vision, fine motors skills, language skills and personal-social skills.”

Recently, researchers also discovered that 1/3 of surveyed adolescents actually reported poor food habits, chronic illnesses, and lower school achievements. While foods are often readily available for kids, the foods are actually inhibiting their development. Not only are unhealthy foods proven to impact academia, but research also proves that a poor diet also impacts a child’s attitude and behaviour, both in and outside of school.

Foodbank Food could contribute towards a Lack of Energy and Focus

According to the Society for Neuroscience, recent studies reveal that diets with high levels of saturated fats actually impair learning and memory. Unfortunately, foods with saturated fats are often the most affordable and widely available in schools. Fast Foods, Microwave foods, sugary desserts, and other cafeteria staples are filling kids with food that actually lower their brain power before sending them back to class.

Families Foodbank Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact on Childs learning ability by Diane Shawe M.Ed

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One of the theories that explain the link between saturated fats and brain power is the effects of glucose and sugars in the higher-fat foods. Essentially, glucose comes from carbohydrates, and while glucose is vital for energy, foods that are too high in glucose actually cause a body’s energy levels to drop. As glucose is ingested, the body releases insulin in order to process the newly acquired foods. Normally, after a healthy meal, glucose levels should rise slightly, and a body should feel energised after taking in the nutrition.

Today, however, parents and children with high-glucose diets experience a post-food “crash,” wherein the glucose intake is so high that the body begins to shut down as it processes all of the food. Popular meals for kids often include white and refined breads, fried foods, sugary sweets, and fizzy pops; all of these meal options cause an incredible drop in energy eventually, leading to a terrible drop in focus, and successful mental performance. A regular diet of high glucose can result in damage to kidneys, eyes, blood vessels, and nerves. And while these side effects are serious, high glucose also causes irritability, lethargy, and a lack of focus.

A Plan is needed to Improve - Research about Foodbank Programs

With what should be of widespread concern, student performance and health, a plan is needed to inform, encourage and improve the stocks of foodbanks for both Trust lead or independent foodbanks across the country. A program establishes a more strategic and long term focus on healthier Foodbanks than just dishing out ‘sell by dates items. However, care must be taken not to end up strangling a system that is obviously in much need at the moment.

Families Foodbank Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact on Childs learning ability by Diane Shawe M.Ed

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I am not advocating that there should be a ban on gifts such as fast foods and chemically processed products, but Instead, givers are encouraged to give away whole-grain breads, fruits, vegetables, salads, and lean proteins. Since natural and un-processed foods provide kids with a lower intake of glucose, parents and kids can be energised, feel less lethargic, and more able to focus.

Furthermore, “Healthy Foodbank Food� could help parents and schools experience fewer discipline problems, no acting out, no violence to speak of, because the kids are properly nourished. The wider knock on effect could be lower incidences of dropouts, expulsions, drug use, weapons, and fighting, with a simultaneous rise in student performance, as grades which is a much better positive state to be in for all.

A Plan for Homes and Educating Food Bank Dependants

Sadly, this is a way of life at the moment for a significant proportions of the UK community, but by promoting healthy eating and brain function outside of school and inside foodbanks, it has been recommended that parents should provide their kids with smaller meals and snacks every three to four hours. Is this possible for them as a Foodbank dependant?

Some credible reports reveal that after just thirty minutes, feelings of fatigue and stress drop after a nutritious snack or meal. Providing children with an intake of healthy glucose boosts their energy and improves their focus.

What should Food Bank Contributors Focus on Supplying?

Healthy meals and snacks should consist of natural fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, nuts, and eggs. Also, specific vitamins can be incorporated to target definite functions. For example, to improve memory, individuals should invest Families Foodbank Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact on Childs learning ability by Diane Shawe M.Ed

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foods rich in lecithin, such as peanuts, soy beans, and wheat germ. Potassium also aids in energy and brain functioning, and can be derived from oranges, bananas, apricots, avocados, melons, peaches, and nectarines.

Avoiding processed foods, will help you contribute to a daily diet that will ultimately promote a healthier body, behaviour, and brain power for that child.

About the Author Diane Shawe is an author, speaker, trainer, mentor, consultant and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience. She has personally trained over 1800 people around the world in a variety of fields and has published a number of works. She has contributed to over 100 Kiva Entrepreneur’s around the world.

She was also one of the producers of a Day time Ladies Talk Show in 2015 and Host of one of the UK’s best loved Annual Hair Extensions Awards.

Diane also enjoys oil painting, sailing and clay pigeon shooting.

She focuses on topics that she is passionate about in her writing and has attracted over 36,000 followers on her popular blog.

Shawe’s eBooks are available on Amazon right now at: https://www.amazon.com/Diane-Shawe/e/B0052WG8V6 Visit www.diane-shawe.co.uk for more information about her other publications, training courses, blogs and fundraising. Facebook: @expressonlinecourses Twitter @expresscourses YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wIU4tI8kw0

Media Contact Company Name: AVPT Short Courses Contact Person: Diane Shawe MEd Email: Send Email Phone: +44 208 1333120 City: London Country: United Kingdom Blog Website: www.academyexpresscourses.com Families Foodbank Dependencies for Diet and Nutrition Could Impact on Childs learning ability by Diane Shawe M.Ed

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