Food, Feelings, and
Your Child's HealthHave you ever noticed your child seems tired, cranky, or full of energy depending on what they’ve eaten? Food does more than help children grow. It also helps support their mood, learning, and overall health.
The foods your child eats can affect how they feel, think, and play each day. That’s why offering a variety of healthy foods is an important part of helping your child feel their best.
How Food Helps the BrainA child’s brain is growing and learning every day. Just like a car needs fuel to run, the brain needs healthy foods to work well. These foods provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that help children learn, focus, remember, and stay active.
Your Child's Gut and MoodHave you ever heard someone talk about a “gut feeling”? There may be more truth to that than you think.
Inside the digestive system are trillions of tiny bacteria. Some of these bacteria help keep the body healthy and support a strong connection between the gut and the brain. This connection, often called the gut-brain connection, may affect how children feel, think, and behave.
The “good” bacteria in the gut also help produce serotonin, a chemical that helps the body regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and energy levels. It’s often referred to as a “happiness chemical”. Serotonin also supports healthy digestion and helps the gut and brain communicate with each other.
You may be surprised to learn that about 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the digestive system. This means the gut does more than digest food – it also plays an important role in overall health and emotional well-being.
Foods That Help Children Feel Their Best
Water is Important, Too!Staying hydrated helps the body work properly and supports healthy digestion. Offering healthy foods and drinks throughout the day can help children stay energized and ready for their daily activities.
Water is the best choice for staying hydrated because it doesn’t contain added sugar. Sugary drinks, like soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and sweet tea, can make it harder for the healthy bacteria in the gut to thrive when consumed too often.
Simple Ways to Build
Healthy Eating HabitsParents and caregivers have a big influence on children’s eating habits and what goes into their guts. Small changes can make a big difference over time.
Be a Healthy Role ModelHealthy eating doesn’t have to be perfect. Small steps add up over time. Every time you offer nutritious foods, create positive mealtimes, and be a good role model, you help your child build healthy habits for life.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2024, August 26). Power Them Up with Nutrient-Dense Foods.
https://www.eatright.org/fitness/sports-and-athletic-performance/beginner-and-intermediate/eat-right-to-play-hard
American Society for Nutrition. (2018, October 1). Food and Mood: What is Nutritional Psychiatry?
https://nutrition.org/food-and-mood-what-is-nutritional-psychiatry/
Harvard Medical School. (2018, December 7). Gut feelings: How food affects your mood.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548
Author: Amanda Hojnacki
HAND EXPRESSION
How it works
Use your hand to gently massage and compress your breast to remove milk.
What’s Involved
Average Cost
Free
Side-Lying Hold
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Cross-Cradle Hold
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Clutch or “Football” Hold
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Cradle Hold
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Laid-Back Hold
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