Healthy food in schools results in better student outcomes

Nutrition and success in school are undeniably linked. Many studies support that eating fresh, healthy food positively impacts students’ performance in school and overall well-being. What students eat not only fuels their bodies but also improves their ability to learn, focus, and grow.

‍

We will explore how students benefit from eating healthy, well-balanced meals, from academic performance to long-term outcomes, touching on what schools can do to achieve this.

‍

Students get better grades when they have better food

Well-balanced meals are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that support children’s cognitive development. Consuming these—as opposed to empty carbohydrates and refined grains—regularly positively impacts their growth and performance in school, paving the way for high test scores and improved grades.

‍

Numerous studies across decades have shown that a healthy breakfast and overall diet consisting of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables gives children more energy for the day, allowing them to focus better and longer in the classroom. A 2013 study showed that when consumed regularly, breakfast can lead to better academic performance overall, specifically in undernourished children’s grades in mathematics and arithmetic.

‍

Another study on children’s lifestyles and school performance conducted in Nova Scotia in 2003 proved that the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and dietary fat was crucial to students’ performance in school. Those with low-quality overall diets performed significantly poorly on the study’s assessment, showing that a healthy diet results in better learning.

‍

These improved performances are all because whole, non-processed foods are rich in key nutrients such as complex carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like iron, zinc, and B vitamins that are vital for cognitive development. These nutrients enhance memory, problem-solving skills, and attention spans in children, building the foundation for better grades and test scores.

‍

On the other hand, children who lack these critical micronutrients, especially iron, tend to find it harder to focus and finish cognitive tasks. This makes succeeding in school much more challenging. Consuming refined sugars and empty carbs doesn’t improve either, as they have negative effects on children’s brains and behavior.

‍

‍

Eating healthy meals improves student mood and behavior

‍

What students eat doesn’t just affect their academic performance—it also significantly influences their behavior in and out of the classroom. Numerous studies show that poor diets can lead to mood swings, irritability, and disciplinary issues, while balanced meals promote better conduct and healthier social interactions. In 1921, researchers in Australia conducted a study on the relationship between diet quality and depression in adolescents and found that children with poor diets were nearly 80% more likely to experience depression and behavioral problems.

‍

Conversely, a balanced diet enhances concentration, attendance, and participation while improving task completion. This creates a more positive and effective learning environment where children can function at their best. Many research studies reveal that well-nourished children are also less likely to miss school, arrive late, or face suspensions. Instead, they remain energized and engaged, allowing them to thrive throughout school days, weeks, and months.

‍

Good physical health leads students to academic success

‍

Balanced diets lay the groundwork for strong and healthy bodies. Partnered with exercise, nutrient-dense meals help students perform better in school. Studies show that students who eat nutritious meals enjoy boosted immunity, higher energy levels, and greater physical strength, allowing them to excel in school activities.

‍

Students who are physically fit and healthy are more equipped to do better in school. One study in particular showed that regular physical activity and a healthy diet result in high academic achievement in students. The former boosts learning and memory, sharpening cognitive capabilities, while the latter provides macronutrients, giving students sustained energy to prevent crashing and perform better in school.

‍

Healthy diets also help students combat the detrimental effects of unhealthy, low-quality ingredients. Research on the impact of nutrition on the brain reveals that a high-fat diet negatively affects cognitive function and memory, which can be prevented or reversed by polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables. Students who eat nutritious meals are also more likely to maintain a healthy weight, reducing their risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

‍

‍

Schools need to go beyond USDA requirements

‍

To ensure schools provide healthy meals, the USDA has laid down nutritional guidelines for school lunch programs as the minimum standard. However, loopholes still allow less healthy foods to qualify. Foods high in unhealthy, saturated fats and sugar such as fruit in sugary syrup, heavily processed meat alternatives, and fried potato chips can still meet these requirements despite being detrimental. Fast-food-style meals, reformulated to fit within the guidelines, blur the lines of what constitutes proper nutrition.

‍

To combat this, schools can take a proactive approach by prioritizing scratch-made meals. Freshly prepared with real, nutrient-rich ingredients, these meals provide students with the vitamins, minerals, and energy they need to perform better in school, both academically and physically. Investing in your food program is investing in your students and your school.

‍

By committing to serving fresh food made from scratch, schools can make healthy eating accessible for all students, no matter their socioeconomic background, while also setting a higher standard for school nutrition.

‍

Provide students with the nutritious meals they need through Ordo

‍

Serving meals prepared from scratch is the key to a more active, engaging, and high-achieving student body. However, the administrative and financial challenges schools face make this feat harder to achieve. That’s why schools choose Ordo to provide fresh food for their students. As schools’ trusted meal service vendor, we can make serving students nutritious food more manageable—for no additional expense.

‍

Ordo has become the fastest-growing school food program in America, providing fresh meals made from scratch every day in our kitchens. Our chefs focus on cooking homestyle food that’s both nutritious and what students love.

‍

Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 different options daily, like Tex Mex Crunch Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing or Chicken Bacon Wrap with Pretzels, Carrots & Ranch. Our online platform automates compliance paperwork for reimbursable meals, tracks important metrics like daily participation rate, and handles all payment and order processing.

‍

Ordo offers both vended meal service, where we deliver the food every day, and onsite food service management with our chefs preparing food on campus. We have served all types of schools, from preschools and daycare centers to private and public schools.

‍

If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.