Secondary Schools Food, Nutrition & Hydration Workshops
Committed to supporting the next generation in leading healthier lives!
As a CORU Registered Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist and Trained Psychotherapist I understand the importance of educating young minds about the fundamentals of healthy eating and hydration.
The Secondary Schools Food, Nutrition and Hydration Workshops are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle. These workshops are tailored to meet the needs of secondary school students, ensuring that the content is both engaging and age-appropriate.
Why Food, Nutrition & Hydration Education is Crucial in Secondary Schools
Adolescence is a critical period for growth and development, making it essential that students receive proper nutrition to support their physical and mental well-being. Research has shown that good nutrition positively impacts academic performance, cognitive function, and overall health (Story et al., 2009). However, many teenagers are not meeting the recommended dietary guidelines, which can lead to long-term health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Craigie et al., 2011).
Likewise Social media has become a powerful force in shaping the behaviours and perceptions of teenagers, particularly when it comes to food and body image. Several studies have explored the negative impact that social media influencers, especially those focusing on food and body aesthetics, can have on adolescent health.
By providing food, nutrition and hydration education at this pivotal stage, we can empower students to take control of their health and develop lifelong healthy eating habits.
References
- Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., & French, S. (2006). The role of schools in obesity prevention. The Future of Children, 16(1), 109-142.
- Craigie, A. M., Lake, A. A., Kelly, S. A., Adamson, A. J., & Mathers, J. C. (2011). Tracking of obesity-related behaviours from childhood to adulthood: A systematic review. Maturitas, 70(3), 266-284.
- Story, M., & French, S. (2004). "Food Advertising and Marketing Directed at Children and Adolescents in the US." International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, 1(1), 3. (This paper highlights the importance of addressing food marketing within nutrition education, especially in schools, and discusses how adolescents are influenced by media, which should be considered in educational curricula.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What the Food, Nutrition & Hydration Workshops Cover
The workshops are comprehensive and interactive, covering a range of topics that are crucial for students' understanding of food, nutrition and hydration:
The Food, Nutrition and Hydration Workshops I am proposing are designed to address these needs, aligning with the school’s educational goals while engaging students in meaningful discussions about their health.
Can I choose different Themes for my schools Food, Nutrition and Hydration Week?
Schools can choose from the following themes, each packed with valuable lessons:
Theme A: Food to Fuel Your Brain
• Focus: The relevance and role of food in supporting brain and whole body health for learning with emphasis on the role of omega three polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also the benefits of fruit and vegetables to support whole body and brain health. We also explore the connection between nutrition and academic success, highlighting how a balanced diet can improve concentration, memory, and energy levels.
Other Key Messages:
• Food is Just Food: Emphasise balanced eating without labelling foods as "good" or "bad."
• 14 Exposures: Encourage trying new or unliked foods multiple times to develop a taste for them.
• Fabulous Fibre: Highlight the importance of plant-based eating for the body, brain, and gut.
• Rethink Your Drink: Educate about the sugar content in commonly consumed beverages.
• Label Reading and Smart Shopping: Students are guided on how to read food labels, understand nutritional information, and make healthier choices when shopping.
Theme B: Healthy Eating Using the Food Pyramid
• Focus: Understanding the benefits of each food group and promoting healthy eating habits from a young age. Also we look at Ultra-Processed Foods: Understanding the effects of highly processed foods on health. Finally we look at protein and protein powders and navigate the myths and facts about protein intake.
Other Key Messages:
• Food is Just Food: Emphasise balanced eating without labelling foods as "good" or "bad."
• 14 Exposures: Encourage trying new foods or unliked foods multiple times to develop a taste for them.
• Fabulous Fibre: Highlight the importance of plant-based eating for the body, brain, and gut.
• Rethink Your Drink: Educate about the sugar content in commonly consumed beverages.
• Label Reading and Smart Shopping: Students are guided on how to
read food labels, understand nutritional information, and make healthier
choices when shopping.
Theme C: Plant-Focused Eating
• Focus: Increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, and high-fibre foods, benefiting the body, brain, and planet.
Other Key Messages:
• Food is Just Food: Emphasise balanced eating without labelling foods as "good" or "bad."
• 14 Exposures: Encourage trying new and unliked foods multiple times to develop a taste for them.
• Fabulous Fibre: Highlight the importance of plant-based eating for the body, brain, and gut.
• Rethink Your Drink: Educate about the sugar content in commonly consumed beverages.
• Label Reading and Smart Shopping: Students are guided on how to read food labels, understand nutritional information, and make healthier choices when shopping.
Theme D: Food Influencers:
• Focus: To look at the impact of social media and other influences on food choices. To address the impact of social media and encourage critical thinking about the food and nutrition content online to help mitigate some of the potential negative effects to diet and body image. To also look at other food influencers and identify those to follow and those to avoid.
Other Key Messages:
• Food is Just Food: Emphasise balanced eating without labelling foods as "good" or "bad."
• 14 Exposures: Encourage trying new and unliked foods multiple times to develop a taste for them.
• Fabulous Fibre: Highlight the importance of plant-based eating for the body, brain, and gut.
• Rethink Your Drink: Educate about the sugar content in commonly consumed beverages.
• Label Reading and Smart Shopping: Students are guided on how to read food labels, understand nutritional information, and make healthier choices when shopping.
These workshops aim to empower students with the knowledge to make healthier choices, helping them to develop habits that will support their brain and body health now and into the future.
What is the cost of running a Secondary Schools Food Nutrition & Hydration Workshop?
Please contact Valerie O’ Connor on info@gntc.ie to discuss the cost of running a Food, Nutrition and Hydration Workshop for your school.
What is the Workshop Format and Delivery?
The workshops are delivered by a experienced CORU-Registered Dietitian and Trained Psychotherapist who is an experienced clinician in adolescent nutrition. Each session is interactive, allowing students to engage in discussions, ask questions, and participate in practical activities.
Workshops can be tailored to fit the school’s schedule and can be delivered in-person or online, depending on the school’s preference. The length, format and content of the workshop can be agreed beforehand with the school We also provide schools with follow-up resources and educational materials as needed.
What are the Outcomes and Benefits?
Students who participate in our workshops will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the role of nutrition in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Develop practical skills for making healthier food and drink choices.
- Understand the importance of hydration and how to maintain proper fluid intake.
- Be better equipped to make informed dietary choices that support both their academic and physical activities.
- Learn to critically evaluate food influencers and separate the noise and nonsense from the evidence based science.
What are the Outcomes and Benefits?
Students who participate in our workshops will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the role of nutrition in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Develop practical skills for making healthier food and drink choices.
- Understand the importance of hydration and how to maintain proper fluid intake.
- Be better equipped to make informed dietary choices that support both their academic and physical activities.
- Learn to critically evaluate food influencers and separate the noise and nonsense from the evidence based science.
How do I sign up to run a Secondary Schools Food, Nutrition, and Hydration Workshops?
Running a Secondary Schools Food, Nutrition, and Hydration Workshops is a valuable initiative to instil healthy eating habits in children. By engaging pupils, staff, and families, we can foster a school community that values nutrition and understands its critical role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing.
To sign up and plan your schools, Food, Nutrition, and Hydration Workshop
Contact Valerie today and take the first step towards a healthier school community!
Are there any good nutrition & health resources that I can order/download for my students?
Useful resources for secondary schools on health, food, nutrition & hydration:
1. Sports Nutrition Handbook Fueling Wise for Sport & Exercise:
2. Healthy eating for teenagers:
3. The attached resource is on school lunches. It is aimed at children but to be honest the guidance is suitable for everyone!:
https://www.healthpromotion.ie/media/documents/HAL00885_IqDDcOm.pdf
4. Healthy easy recipes for everyday life:
https://www.healthpromotion.ie/products/101-square-meals
5. Information on diet and calcium:
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/calcium.html
6. Information on diet and iron for health:
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iron-rich-foods-iron-deficiency.html
7. For information on Vitamin D and how much you need:
https://www.gntc.ie/2024/12/19/how-much-vitamin-d-do-you-need/
8. The following 2 Dietitian websites have excellent fact sheets on all aspects of food, nutrition and hydration for health and wellness
9. This is the resource on plant points from Yakult UK. This is an excellent guide and resource that can be used to encourage people to aim for 30 plant points/week:
https://yakultsciencecouk.kinsta.cloud/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Patient-habit-tracker.pdf
10. This is a lovely simple guide on gut and overall health management (sleep, diet, stress, exercise and hydration management):
11. For anyone looking for excellent/free health related resources to do with all aspects of health www.healthpromotion.ie is an excellent website. You can order hard copies or just download.
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