Setting Kids Up for Success at School

“Children are one third of our population and all of our future.“

We all want our children and grandchildren to succeed in life – this includes doing well in school. But sometimes it’s not easy for some kids – attention disorders, learning disabilities or behavioral challenges make going back to school tough for everyone.

How Food Affects Performance in School

The foods children eat can play a huge role in their performance at school. Statistics show less than 50% of children consume the recommended number of servings in any food group on a daily basis. Nearly 80% do not eat the recommended level of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables! You’ve probably heard the news on obesity in children as well: one in three children today is overweight or obese; 20 to 40% of children are physically unfit.

Nutrition and Behavior Disorders

The American Journal of Psychiatry reported that children who experience malnutrition have an increased risk of behavioral disorders and aggressive behavior as they grow older. The study looked at children between 8 and 17 years of age and found disturbing evidence that children who suffered certain nutritional deficiencies had a 41% increase in aggression by age 8. At age 17, they demonstrated a 51% increase in violent and antisocial behavior. The food they were eating and the nutrients they were missing out on each day were critical factors. According to a study conducted by the University of Southern California, poor nutrition in the early years leads to low IQ and antisocial behavior that may continue into later life.

But we can change this – and make sure our kids are getting the food they need to thrive. Numerous clinical trials have shown that proper nutrition can help children develop to their highest potential in the grades they get, their focus and attention, self-image and even have more energy and be healthier.

Getting Kids to Eat Healthier

So where do you start? Offer children a variety of healthy food choices each day. And – make sure you eat healthy, too. Modeling good food choices is so important for parents, grandparents and caregivers. Kids will do what we do – why should they like broccoli if they never see their parents eat it? Why should they drink milk and water if mom and dad always have soda?

Start with colorful fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy options, 100% whole grain breads and lean meat selections are the best. Cutting them into fun shapes, or preparing them into creative dishes always helps. Dips like hummus and natural peanut butter are also great ways to get kids excited about their food and to try new things.

Be sure to keep the sugar sodas, fruit juices and energy drinks away from your kids. They provide useless calories, promote tooth decay and foster unhealthy energy spikes.

It’s hard to get the 7 to 10 – yes 7 to 10! – servings of fruits and vegetables every day into our children, as recommended by the American Heart Association.  Here’s where nutritional supplements can help. Eniva’s great-tasting multi mineral, multi vitamin supplement, VIBE Childrens provides a balanced blend of essential nutrients, powerful fruit and vegetable extracts and other ingredients for health… all in an easy to swallow, liquid form. It’s gluten-free, with no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, fish ingredients or stimulants.

Children with attention disorders or behavior challenges can benefit greatly by EFAs (essential fatty acids) in their diet. Eniva’s Efacor provides a pure and safe fish oil in a veggie capsule – kids actually like the lemony taste! Children need pro

per levels of Vitamin D to support proper brain development, healthy bones, good vision and a strong immune system. Eniva’s Vitamin D3 Liquid is a yummy, liquid supplement that gives them that important nutrient.

If your child insists on an energy drink our UltraSHOT is a natural, healthy alternative to products you’ve seen advertised. It’s free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and contains no taurine, guarana or excessive caffeine. Plus, it actually provides kids with the equivalent of 2 servings of fruits and vegetables. It has a “focus blend” for brain power and a “protein blend” for endurance.

Our kids are our most treasured asset – let’s keep them healthy by encouraging good and proper nutrition. What ideas do you have to help your kids eat healthy?

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any research referred to in this article is not meant to be interpreted as research results involving specific Eniva products.

At Eniva, we believe each human body was designed to be healthy. It was designed to be energetic, lean, agile, and resilient towards healing. You were created to live an abundant, healthy and vibrant life. Eniva is proud to create and manufacture pure liquid nutraceuticals with no artificial preservatives. Our liquid supplements are natural solutions to help you feel and look your best.