Eating Habits

Ashante Gibson, Student Contributor

Nutritional knowledge becomes more important as we grow because food options change and dietary challenges become more of a problem. As high schoolers have more access to junk food they’ll most likely choose junk food over a banana or apple. I believe that if there’s more fruit and healthier options for high school student’s they’ll choose a more healthy lifestyle.

Not all high schoolers eat the same at home either but we can encourage it at schools. If most students knew the advantages and disadvantages of eating healthy, some might take their eating habits into more thought. Eating right and staying healthy will help students accomplish their academic goals and make school a more fun experience. 

Healthy foods such as corn, tomatoes, grapes, kiwi etc. are linked to higher grades, faster mind processing, and a better memory. Eating healthy can reduce risks of cancer, strengthen bones and teeth, put you in a better mood and can be a stroke prevention. Healthy foods come with a lot of benefits that help us as students become an even better student. A study from 2015 identified nutrients and foods that protect against dementia effects would be vitamin D, C, and E, also with flavonoids ( plant compounds that are found in fruits and vegetables / extremely healthy) polyphenols ( micronutrients that we get from certain plant-based foods) 

Here are just four ways of improving your diet :

  1. Avoid processed meats high in salt 
  2. Eat no meat for at least one day of the week. 
  3. Eat more protein 
  4. Swapping soft drinks for water

 Eating junk food can be harmful. Sugar addiction is a real cause for concern for health officials in America. Processed foods and refined grains create additional sugar in the body. To cut down on that craving for sugar people should eat fruits, sugar free gum, yogurt and other natural or sugar free things that are delicious as well as healthy. Sugar is an addiction issue because of the harmful things it can do to people. Sugar can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and can cause tooth decay and really bad toothaches. When people eat sugar dopamine is released, Dopamine is a pleasurable high that you are inclined to the re- experience. dopamine can be caused by using drugs or sex. When you eat sugar the brain produces huge amounts of dopamine which makes sugar an addiction issue. 

Teachers and administrators should consider encouraging students more about nutritious ways of eating. It’ll improve test scores and will become a better look on schools, from a rise of test scores.

References

“Why Healthy Students Are Better Learners.” Healthy Schools Campaign, 5 Oct. 2015, healthyschoolscampaign.org/education/why-healthy-students-are-better-learners.

Wellness Retreat. “Sugar and Dopamine: The Link Between Sweets and Addiction.” Wellness Retreat, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, 14 Aug. 2018, wellnessretreatrecovery.com/sugar-and-dopamine-link-sweets-addiction/.

M.A, Lawrence Robinson. “Healthy Eating.” HelpGuide.org, 13 Nov. 2019, www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/healthy-eating.htm.

“Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Apr. 2019, www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/index.html.