West U Elementary School PTO

For October, West U Wellness is focusing on Nutritional Wellness.

 

Healthy food choices help fuel our bodies and brains so students can feel their best, focus in class, and enjoy learning. Students will learn how nutrition impacts energy, focus, and overall well-being, and they’ll be encouraged to “taste the rainbow” by exploring colorful fruits and vegetables. Families can join in by making whole food swaps, talking about food as fuel, and modeling healthy eating habits at home. Together, we can support our children in building lifelong habits that strengthen both body and mind.

​

Your child may also participate in classroom activities designed to make nutrition fun and hands-on. These activities give students the chance to be creative, learn about different food groups, and practice how balanced eating can boost both learning and energy.

​

Fueling Learning Through Nutrition

At West U Wellness, we know that what children eat directly impacts how they think, feel, and learn. The brain needs steady, high-quality fuel to stay focused, remember new information, and manage emotions throughout the school day. Nutritious foods like colorful fruits, crunchy vegetables, whole grains, and proteins that keep us full provide the vitamins and minerals our brains rely on to do their best work.

​

When students begin the day with balanced meals and make thoughtful snack choices, they experience more energy, better concentration, and stronger emotional regulation. From morning lessons to afternoon recess, food truly is the foundation for learning.

​

Our goal this month is to help every student, and every family,  see the connection between nutrition and brain health. Together, we can encourage mindful eating habits that support lifelong wellness, one bite at a time. 

​

Student Book Recommendations

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

• I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child

• Food and Nutrition for Kids by Catherine McDonald: Straightforward explanations about how food fuels growth and learning.

• Nutrition Fun with Brocc & Roll by Mae Adams – Engaging stories and activities to help kids connect food to energy and health.

• Fuel Up Your Brain: A Kid’s Guide to Eating Smart for School Success (workbook-style, author varies by edition) – Focuses on linking food choices to learning, energy, and brain power.

 

Parent Book Recommendations

• Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power – A very readable introduction by neuroscientist/nutritionist Lisa Mosconi. She discusses how diet supports brain function, which foods help or hurt cognition, and gives a roadmap for better brain health through nutritional choices.

• This Is Your Brain on Food – Focuses on diet’s links to mental health (anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc.). This is a great pick if parents are especially curious about the mood–food connection.

• Nutrition for Brain Health and Cognitive Performance – More of a comprehensive, evidence-based summary. Good for parents who want depth. It reviews research on dietary patterns and cognition.

• Feeding the Brain: How Foods Affect Children – Concentrates on how a child’s diet influences behavior, learning, and focus. Very relevant for parents of school-aged kids.

 

Table Talk Topic for Families

At dinner this week, ask: “What’s one new fruit or vegetable you would be willing to try, and why?” Encourage your child to connect healthy food choices with how their brain and body feel during school and play.