A good and balanced diet has been shown to have a significant effect on the physical and mental development of the child, especially in the first years of life. Studies have shown that good nutrition improves academic performance and learning abilities. Nutrition education is important in the early stages because it is a key element in promoting healthy eating and exercise behaviors throughout life. In this sense, children who grow up in an environment that values ​​healthy eating habits and physical activity are less likely to contract chronic diseases in adulthood. This essay will explore the importance of teaching students the fundamentals of nutrition in schools. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In an article titled Nutrition Education in Schools: Experiences and Challenges, author Rodrigo Peres states that "During school age, children become more independent". They “begin to make their own food choices and make personal decisions about what they eat.” Peres continues to maintain that “Nutrition during childhood contributes to the maintenance of optimal health and learning abilities. Additionally, eating habits that persist throughout adolescence are more likely to persist into adulthood.” It can therefore be concluded with certainty that the choice to be healthy depends on children and that the environment in which the child finds himself has an important effect on his mentality. When a school cares deeply about health, offers special courses on nutrition for its students and takes specific measures to encourage self-recognition and protection, children will develop a sense of self-care and a good lifestyle. Behavioral science has shown that children choose the most visible and accessible food: a small change in the school lunch environment can have significant effects on children's food choices. Several studies have identified poor access and low consumption of fruit and vegetables in primary schools. Some programs begin to work on this problem by distributing fruits and vegetables at school and making them available to students, this strategy has proven effective so far. Children and young people should learn to choose food in a society characterized by wide dietary diversity. However, teaching the basics of nutrition should not just be limited to information about diet, but should also teach the child skills related to food preparation and preservation and should help improve positive body image and self-esteem. The school can follow different methods to teach the basics of nutrition, for example: class discussion, shopping with the instructor, cooking class and laboratory activities. Schools can also use new technologies that offer the possibility of interactive learning experiences such as: the Internet, World Wide Web and CD-Roms. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay As a conclusion to this essay, nutrition education could be considered very influential for children at the school level. As it has an immense effect on their growth both physically and cognitively. Schools should and can find various approaches to encourage healthy diets.