Pupils’ nutrition on campus: Struggle to maintain balance diet away from home.

The task is even more daunting for parents whose children have begun school for their first time. 

These parents are often worried about what to put in the bags of their children to ensure that their feeding cycles are not disrupted.

Florence Mane is a mother of two and her three-year-old son has been enrolled into pre-nursery for this academic year.

She has been worried for the past weeks, contemplating on what her baby boy will eat in school during break, considering that the school doesn’t make provisions for the children’s feeding while in school.

Florence explained that she was considering purchasing potatoes, plantains and eggs to be frying and putting in his lunch box. And for drinks, she said she was considering going with what was available in the market stalls and what her pocket could afford. Her top choices being the sachet drinks bought at 100 FCFA, 150 FCFA and 200 FCFA per sachet.

On the other hand, Anne Pauline is a mother of four and has sent more children to school and says she will continue with her old routine.

The old routine consists of fried Irish potatoes or plantains with eggs, spaghetti, rice, meat balls and at times bread with filling like butter or chocolate.

Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that some schools make provisions for the children’s feeding while at school. 

However, this is mostly with private schools that include the extra money for feeding in the fees.

Daisy Meli is one of those parents whose children are enrolled in schools which provide feeding during break for the pupils. 

Her son being a pre-nursery pupil is expected to bring just biscuits and water to school as he will be fed alongside his classmates during break.

Talking to The Guardian Post, Mukong Peter Zhung, a Nutritionist and Founder of Lachofit, a nutrition institution, explained the kind of meals or snacks children should take to school.

Mukong encourages parents to prepare snacks including fruits and vegetables such as popsicles made from blended fruits since they are rich in nutrients.

The nutritionist says fruits like water melon are encouraged to help the children hydrated, fit and for enhanced brain development.

Pineapples and oranges which are rich in Vitamin C, he says, will help to boost the immune system. 

Since preservation will be an issue while in school, “but if in the form of smoothies that are refrigerated before taking to school and well bottled it will take long”, he explains, highlighting that fruits get bad only after 24 hours and not before unlike what most people think.

Mukong also recommends grains for snacks since they are rich in Vitamins and especially grains containing Vitamin B for metabolism and as they are also a rich source of protein.

While most parents prefer fried snacks for their children, the nutritionist discourages the practice, especially deep frying. 

He encourages other healthy methods of cooking like baking or microwaving, which, according to him, is not as harmful as people think.

“Healthy fats should be encouraged,” he says, adding that “seeds like sesame oil also rich in omega 3 fatty acids healthy for brain function”.

The nutritionist also noted that sardine is oily fish containing a special omega 3 fat that enhances brain and academic performance, and so is good for consumption.

“But I think this should be consumed at home maybe at breakfast since children can be messy handling it at school,” he said.

Meanwhile, other snacks parents could put in their children’s bags include; biscuits, peanuts, carbs such as dates for energy. 

He also added that “dark chocolate is also good for brain function and learning also gives enough energy for a long day”.

There are also dairy products such as cheese and yogurt, Mukong said, but, however, warns that “they should be produced following good hygiene”. He also warns against junk foods like sweets. 

While some parents especially warn their children against consuming sweets while they are in school, they jump on the least opportunity they have to put sweets in their mouth.

Mukong also recommends bread and sardine, emphasising that “brown bread is advised for children at risk of obesity and pre-diabetes”.

Mukong Peter Zhung is a nutritionist and founder of Lachofit, a mobile app for healthy nutrition, smart weight management and expert coaching for the sustainable achievement of health, nutrition and fitness goals.