How We Educate Students to Make Intentional Nutritional Decisions

Nutrition plays a crucial role in our children’s development and growth, fueling body and mind and enhancing their overall academic and athletic performance.

Whether for a quick breakfast or with friends at lunchtime, right before expanding their energies at sporting events or band practice, the way young people fuel their bodies has an impact on their ability to perform activities. With physical literacy complementing most academic programs, it is fundamental for students to develop the confidence to make the right food choices at every turn.

So, how can they feel empowered to do so?

The youth today — call them Gen Z and Gen Alpha — and their parents are quite attuned to the need for balanced nutrition to elevate athletic and academic performance. 

Here are some facts:

  • 78% of Canadian youth look at food labels to see what is in the food they eat1
  • 70% of Canadian parents want to provide their children with healthy food options2
  • 91% of Canadians believe food literacy should be taught in school3

This data clearly demonstrates the increased need for nutritional education in schools. Therefore, food service providers have an obligation to provide tasty nutritious meals to our kids.

But having the right food and information available is not enough. Providing young people with easy-to-understand messages about the influence of dietary choices can help them make intentional decisions today that will stay with them in the long run.

 

Priming Students for Learning and Success

In 2021, Sodexo Campus launched and implemented Powering Performance for its K-12 schools. We strongly believe that we have the obligation to provide far more than high-quality food to young people. We have an obligation to provide information about making the right food and drink choices. 

Guided by insights, Sodexo’s nutritional and culinary experts have used the science behind food to create the Powering Performance program and educational initiatives.

A range of meals as part of a balanced diet are put together with over 100 recipes specifically developed for the program and fitting within four key pillars. 

 

The Four Central Pillars of Powering Performance
 

  • Focus: to sharpen the minds and provide mental endurance 
  • Strengthen: to grow and fortify healthy bodies 
  • Sustain: to give stamina for everyday demands 
  • Recover: to rejuvenate mentally and physically 
  • Renew: prioritize local produce, fresh fruits and community support 

Recipes are designed to balance vitamins and essential nutrients according to the specific pillars. For instance, meals from the Focus pillar are designed to help students sustain concentration with the goal of reaching their full academic potential. These meals include nutrients such as electrolytes, choline, antioxidants, carbohydrates, and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids.

 

The science behind eggs.
Choline is an essential nutrient known for its role in brain and visual development. Choline intakes for children fall well under adequate intakes, but fortunately, egg yolks are one of the best sources of choline. Kids aged 9-13 years old need 375mg per day and one egg provides roughly 147mg.

 

What our Clients Say

Clients have stated that the program supports their mission and help deliver a message of healthy eating in their institutions.

“The Powering Performance program is an outstanding tool that provides our student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to be very intentional about their nutritional choices. This resource targets specific foods that will help optimize athletic performance and identifies the benefits of healthy eating.” – Lou Cafazzo, Director of Athletics, Appleby College.

“By establishing a relationship with Powering Performance, we can ensure that our student-athletes will be properly prepared both from a strategic and nutritional approach. This will enhance their strength, stamina, and overall athletic ability.” – Mike Maurovitch, Athletic Director, Selwyn House.

Committing to Power Performance

We are committed to providing our team’s experience to build innovative educational tools and creative menus for the school communities that we serve to help support our partnerships and our youths’ growth. We are dedicated to continually adapting programs and services in a way that best meets student wellness needs.

If you’d like to know how we can power your students’ performances, reach out to our experts. 


(1)The Human Project, Zeno Group, 2016; (2)Healthy Eating in Ontario: What Do We Know?, Nutrition Resource Centre, 2017; (3)Dalhousie University, Agri-Food Analytics Lab “COVID Food Literacy”, 2021