We had a very interesting science class this week. Instead of studying our usual lesson, our teacher, Miss Amber, told us to put our books away because she wanted to teach us the importance of nutrition for children.

She said that every day students have to learn and perform in school. From attending multiple classes and sports lessons/activities to doing homework, preparing for assignments and quizzes, students have to put on a lot of hard work. And this is just the academic side of their lives, social and personal activities have their own demands on the students.

So to do well and fulfill all the responsibilities, we need to take care of our body and mind. And Miss Amber added that the best way we can take care of our body and mind is by having a healthy diet.

She stressed that we should have nutritious meals, especially during the school lunch break. This is because we need to re-fuel ourselves in the middle of the school day so that we are able to have the same energy even after the lunch break.

That made so much sense to me because I always feel tired in my mathematics class, which is just before the break. Miss Amber told us how different food groups are necessary to build the foundation of a healthy body — and one of the most important food groups is dairy. Everyone knows that milk helps our teeth and bones get stronger, but we should also know that it can help us perform in school every day.

I decided to make sure that my school lunch is also full of nutrition and energy, to give me the nutritious boost I need to stay active throughout the school day.

I came home that day and told my mum all about the importance of a nutritious lunch box, and together we created a lunch box menu for the whole week, with healthy foods and drinks. We discussed that a chicken sandwich or kabab, some vegetables or fruit and a pack of milk is the basis for a nutritious lunch box.

These days it is very easy to add milk in the lunch box because of good options available, including milk in different flavours. My favourite is chocolate, but I enjoy having the others too, and finding out what flavour my mum has packed for me in my lunch box.

And you know what, I can already tell the difference! I am able to focus better in my mathematics classes now that I have a nutritious and healthy lunch box for school every day!

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 8th, 2023