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Health Topics
How Eating Affects Learning
The Nutrition of Learning
Many different nutrients are needed to keep the brain in good working order. The
neurons must be fed in order to carry clear messages, and the supporting structures
should be maintained to ensure an uninterrupted trip for the messengers. The whole
nervous system needs good quality food to power mental activity. The key nutrients
to sustain and promote physical and mental activities are water, proteins, carbohydrates,
fats, vitamins and minerals.
The whole nervous system needs good quality food to
power mental activity.
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Our body’s messengers, the neurotransmitters, are made from amino acids
found in protein foods, such as meat, fish and cheese. Vitamins and minerals
in the diet are important ingredients needed to convert amino acids into neurotransmitters.
These nutrients together ensure the brain’s efficiency and will give children
optimum opportunities to learn.
Another important substance in the brain is fat. Over one-half of the brain
is composed of fat. Each neuron is surrounded by fat molecules. The nerve impulse
increases speed as it passes over the fat molecular covering. Fat also regulates
circulation, inflammation, memory and mood. As parents we must regulate our
children’s intake of fat to counter obesity but ensure also that they
take in enough fat for brain function.
The brain’s primary source of energy is found in carbohydrates. Grains,
fruits and vegetables all contain carbohydrates that can break down through
digestion into a sugar called glucose. It is important to maintain our glucose
levels. If glucose levels fluctuate, we can experience dizziness and mental
confusion. When children experience this confusion at school, it may look instead
like apathy or distraction.
All of the above nutrients move through the body in our circulatory system
via our blood. Blood is 83 percent water. Water acts as a nutrient transportation
system within the blood. Removing waste and delivering nutrients to the brain,
water takes away the bad and carries in the good for proper and efficient brain
function. A good supply of water is needed for concentration and alertness.
Parents must balance their children’s water intake with other fluids that
may be high in sugar.
— Kelly Hammer and Vicki Caruana
Kelly Hammer is a pre-school teacher and the founder of Hammer Nutrition — Working
to Build Healthier Families. Vicki Caruana, former public school teacher and adjunct
professor, is now a writer and inspirational speaker who has made it her mission
to encourage teachers.
Last updated July 2004
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