School Lunches Missing the Mark: UAE Medical Experts Provide Solutions for School Lunch Improvements
In the bustling city of Dubai, ensuring a child's growth, energy, and brain development is of paramount importance. A well-balanced lunchbox can play a significant role in this, as recommended by scientific experts and UAE pediatricians.
A nutritious lunchbox should comprise lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and dairy or calcium-rich foods. Lean proteins, such as grilled chicken, eggs, tofu, legumes, and low-fat dairy, are essential for muscle growth and repair. Whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, oats, or traditional options like idli or dosa provide sustained energy for learning and play.
Fruits and vegetables, such as berries, carrot sticks, cucumber, or bell peppers, supply vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Colourful and crunchy items increase appeal and nutrient density. Healthy fats, including small amounts of avocado, nuts, seeds, or healthy oils such as olive or coconut oil, support brain health and energy storage. Calcium-rich foods, like dairy products or fortified alternatives, plus leafy greens, are critical for strong bones and teeth.
Presentation is key to encourage consumption, with bite-sized pieces, colourful ingredients, and varied textures making the lunchbox more appealing to picky eaters.
Examples of balanced lunchbox ideas include a whole grain wrap with hummus and sliced turkey, baby carrots or bell pepper sticks, a banana or grapes, small cheese cubes or plain yogurt, and water or milk to drink.
These recommendations align with UAE pediatricians' advice for building healthy, appetizing lunches that promote physical and cognitive development in school children. A 2014 systematic review suggested that impaired glucose tolerance can negatively affect children's cognitive performance, while a 2012 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that adolescents who consumed a low-glycemic index breakfast performed better on attention and memory tasks.
A large-scale study from China linked frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages with lower academic scores in core subjects like math and English among junior-high students. Conversely, a 2024 review noted that diets high in added sugars are strongly associated with obesity and the development of unhealthy eating habits in children and adolescents.
Dubai-based mother of three, Malavika Sen, now sends a hard-boiled egg and a banana in her children's lunchboxes, having stopped sending chocolate sandwiches due to teachers' advice about their impact on health and classroom performance. A schoolteacher and mother of two advises against packing chocolates and cookies daily in a child's lunchbox due to sugar rush, mess, and classroom clamor.
Abeer Al Khalafawi, Consultant Paediatrician at Medcare Women & Children Hospital, explains the importance of a nutritious school-day diet for children's cognitive performance and overall health. Children who eat balanced, nutrient-rich lunches are more likely to stay alert in the classroom, participate actively in physical activities, and experience fewer energy crashes or mood swings in the afternoon.
By following these guidelines, parents can help their children maintain a healthy and balanced diet, supporting their growth, energy, and brain development during the school day.
- In addition to a well-balanced lunchbox, the role of music, entertainment, and lifestyle in a child's development should not be overlooked, as they contribute to a child's cognitive growth and overall well-being.
- The UAE's health-and-wellness sector is not limited to nutritious food alone; science plays a crucial role in understanding and promoting fitness-and-exercise routines suitable for children.
- A 2012 study in the British Journal of Nutrition discovered a connection between a low-glycemic index breakfast and better performance on attention and memory tasks, emphasizing the importance of food in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
- Malavika Sen, a Dubai-based mother, heeded advice from teachers and replaced chocolate sandwiches with healthier options like hard-boiled eggs and bananas in her children's lunchboxes, improving their overall health and classroom performance.
- By promoting healthy diets and regular exercise, parents can help their children manage their weight and combat the development of unhealthy eating habits mentioned in a 2024 review.
- Encouraging the consumption of nutritious foods, lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables is essential for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle for children, as recommended by Abeer Al Khalafawi, a Consultant Paediatrician.
