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Feeding a child goes far beyond
satisfying hunger—it is about nourishing the brain, cultivating emotional
balance, and preparing the ground for learning and full development. Science
has already shown that the first years of life are fundamental for the
formation of neural connections, and these connections are directly influenced
by the quality of nutrition. Eating well is, therefore, an act of love, an
investment in mental, cognitive, and emotional health. More than choosing
between processed or natural foods, parents and educators are, in fact, shaping
brains, influencing behaviors, and designing the future of the next
generations.
Studies from Harvard
University and University College London show that children who consume foods
rich in omega-3, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and antioxidants perform better in
school, have greater concentration, and show lower rates of anxiety and
depression. This is not about trends—it’s about scientific evidence. The
developing brain is highly sensitive to the fuel it receives. A child who
starts the day with a nutritious breakfast—fruit, whole grains, and
protein—will be better prepared to face academic challenges. On the other hand,
excessive sugar, ultra-processed foods, and artificial colorings can cause mood
swings, attention deficits, and even learning difficulties.
Imagine the difference
between two scenarios: in a public school in the interior of Brazil, two
classes of students of the same age and socioeconomic background. One receives
balanced meals with support from nutritionists and community gardens; the other
eats industrialized and ultra-processed foods. In a study conducted by the
Federal University of Viçosa, it was found that, after just one semester, the
class with healthier meals showed significant improvements in reading, writing,
and socialization. Nutrition, therefore, is also a tool of social justice and
inclusion. When a child has access to adequate nutrition, they are being
equipped with the best tools to build their own future.
This connection
between body and mind has long been recognized in the most modern and humanized
teaching methodologies. Educator, author, and researcher Antônio Carlos dos
Santos, in his vast children's literature and in his pedagogical methods—such
as the Teatro de Bonecos Mané Beiçudo (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), MAT
(Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater Movement)—advocates that the
act of educating must consider the whole human being: brain, heart, and body.
In his children's books, he uses playful stories to teach the importance of
conscious eating, associating healthy foods with mental and emotional
superpowers. The Mané Beiçudo characters, for instance, are true promoters of
good eating habits, using the language of theater and fantasy to inspire
children to eat better.
Beyond proper
nutrition, it is essential to teach children to relate to food with joy,
curiosity, and gratitude. Turning mealtime into a moment of family connection,
involving children in meal preparation, and telling stories about food are
strategies that stimulate interest and respect for eating. A great example
comes from British chef Jamie Oliver, who revolutionized school lunches in
several cities in the UK and the US by introducing natural foods and teaching
basic cooking in schools. The results showed not only improvements in
children's health, but also in self-esteem and academic performance.
Similarly, the
Institute for Neuroscience Applied to Education, in partnership with Stanford
University, has shown that healthy eating habits in childhood are linked to the
development of executive functions, such as planning, working memory, and
inhibitory control. These abilities are essential for problem-solving,
emotional self-regulation, and effective learning. It is no exaggeration to say
that a colorful, well-prepared plate, eaten with pleasure, can be as important
as a good math or language class.
It is also important
to understand that eating well is not a reality accessible to all families.
Therefore, it is essential to promote public policies that ensure food security
and nutrition education in schools. Initiatives such as school gardens,
agroecological fairs, and community cooking workshops are concrete steps toward
a healthier future for all. Parents, educators, and administrators must work
together to transform every snack, every meal, into an opportunity for
learning, affection, and social transformation.
Parents often ask,
“What can I do if my child doesn’t like vegetables or fruits?” The answer lies
in example, persistence, and playfulness. Children learn far more from what
they see than from what they hear. If parents eat well, if foods are presented
in fun ways, and if children are involved in preparation, acceptance increases
dramatically. This is where educational strategies like TBMB shine, using
puppet theater to talk about health with humor, lightness, and
creativity—connecting emotion and cognition, one of the keys to behavior
change.
Finally, we must
cultivate a new mindset: feeding well is educating. When we offer a healthy
meal to a child, we are saying, “I believe in your potential,” “You deserve the
best,” “Your mind is precious.” Eating is a political, cultural, emotional, and
educational act. And it is with this holistic perspective that we must approach
children's nutrition. Because a well-nourished child thinks better, learns
better, feels better—and most importantly, lives better.
Let this be our
collective commitment: to ensure that all children have access not just to
food, but to good food. Because, in the end, nourishing the body is
nourishing hope. And when we nourish hope, we give the world what it most
needs: bright minds, kind hearts, and futures full of possibility.
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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