Make Sure Your Students are Getting a Good Meal, Says UW Madison Professor

Friday, August 26th, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

(Raymond Neupert, WRN) A good healthy breakfast and lunch will help your growing student do better in school.

As kids go back to school it's important to make sure they're going to be eating healthy to prepare for classes. UW Madison Nutritional Sciences professor Beth Olson says families that qualify for meal assistance will need to apply this year. 

"We had a time period where the government was allowing any child to get a free lunch. But that has ended now. And we've gone back to the need to apply for free or reduced school meals."

Olson says the idea might sound simple, but the facts say that well-fed kids do better. "We need our blood sugar or blood glucose to be high enough to get into our brain and to help us think our brain needs that blood glucose to think well."

Olson says parents should be making sure their kids are getting good protein, vitamins, and carbs in their child's meals every day. Low-income families should also remember to sign up for free or reduced school meals this year. 

Olson says that just getting that meal each morning and afternoon will help your kid's brain retain information and grow stronger. "Having their nutritional needs met and their stomachs full enough so that they have the energy to do all the things that they want to do and of course over time to grow well."

Olson says anyone who qualifies for free or reduced school meals should remember to register for the program again this year, since a blanket coverage for all students has expired.

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