Now that kids are back in school, their parents are falling into their routines, and for many, what's being put into their lunchbox could be setting them up for failure in the classroom, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio are studying the effects of certain foods on a child's ability to focus and pay attention.
"We're doing MRI scans to see if the synapses are working properly before and after a whole food organic diet," Georgiana Gross says.
The idea, she says, is based of European studies that looked at how certain processed and artificial foods affect the mind. Specially, she says there have been reports that looked at food dyes and links to hyperactivity.
"When these chemicals were removed, the children had more of an ability to pay attention and focus."
While there are no findings of their study yet, she expects it to be a value to parents, who are often rushed for time and look for convenient ways to feed their kids. Gross says meal prep can seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. She tells parents to stick to fresh fruits and veggies, avoid sugar filled drinks and make simple replacements when they pack their kid's lunch.
"Peanut butter and jelly. That's popular in kid’s lunches. Why not remove the jam, use whole grain bread and add bananas?"
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