While good study habits during exam season are essential, one crucial aspect that is often overlooked is nutrition. Food procurement partner allmanhall’s Registered Dietitian, Tess Warnes, offers expert advice to help boarding school catering teams support your students’ nutrition.
Don’t let them skip meals: Make sure your students are eating regularly. The brain is an engine, and it needs fuel for optimum performance. Breakfast is particularly important – pupils and students who eat breakfast perform better in exams than those who don’t. There are some delicious breakfast ideas here
Make sure they keep hydrated: Even mild dehydration can impair concentration and memory, so ensure your students drink plenty of water throughout the day. Herbal teas and natural fruit-infused water are also great options to keep hydration levels up without added sugars.
Provide protein at every meal: This will help keep energy levels steady and aid their concentration. If they don’t eat meat or dairy, and to give them a more sustainable option, offer plant-based dishes with our Hero Recipes, here and here.
Include Omega-3: Enhance your students’ neuroplasticity and brain health by putting oily fish, (salmon, mackerel, sardines), seeds, and their oils (flaxseed, linseed) on your menus.
Offer healthy snacks: Steer students towards nutritious, high-protein snacks to keep those energy levels steady. A handful of blueberries (packed with anthocyanins for good brain function) and pumpkin seeds (high in zinc for memory and thinking skills) is perfect.
Avoid high-sugar foods: The increased energy will only be very short-lived, quickly followed by deeper fatigue and lower concentration. allmanhall’s nut-free energy balls provide energy without the crash.
Proper nutrition is a critical component of academic success, impacting everything from concentration to stress levels. With allmanhall’s expert nutritional support, boarding school caterers can boost their students’ brains with the right fuel.
Categories: Sector News
