Explore the rising need for wellness and the forward-thinking that fuels every aspect of students’ lives.

Foodservice directors play a critical role in preparing students to make healthy choices, both in the moment and well into the future. Well-being is much more complex than what child nutrition regulations alone can dictate. But that doesn’t mean your approach has to be complicated. Here are top considerations for promoting holistic dining choices that can elevate the performance and health of all students.

Well-Being Runs Deep

The NACUFS report “Campus Dining: 2030 and Beyond” ranks mental health and well-being as the highest priority, just ahead of offering a wide variety of nutritionally balanced menu items (which is also rated highly).

This makes sense, as it’s all connected. Balanced, nutrient-rich diets have been linked to increased psychological health. And when we feel better, we eat better.

In many cases, it’s about bringing the mental health benefits of the balanced meals you already serve to light.

To start:

1 – Bring ‘em Natural Nutrient Riches

Go beyond the basics to see where you could easily swap lower-functioning ingredients for good-mood foods. Think more complex carbs to fight fatigue in pasta dishes and sandwiches. Extra veggies in smoothies and stir-fries to boost mental health. Fresher fruits packed with vitamins and minerals for a natural energy kick.

One example that’s close to our hearts here at SunButter®: Sunflower seeds may help lower inflammation. (A large study found that regular seed eaters had 32% lower C-reactive protein scores – which is used as a measure of inflammation – than the no-seed group.)

2 – Be Inclusive of All Student Needs

Prepare safe and inclusive dining choices for students with food allergies, health conditions or religious restrictions. Provide extra transparency and guidance around food selections when building out menu choices.

Offering a wide range of international flavors can be comforting to students of diverse cultural upbringings. Ask students to share recipes and ideas from their own family’s traditions. All students can certainly benefit from opportunities to learn about other cultures through food. Think crunchy curry toast, based on a popular street food in Korea. Or SunButter® Thai Chicken Pizza.

3 – Promote Food Literacy

Budding scientists and social workers deserve as much of a functional pick-me-up via nutrition as star athletes. Tell them so!

Educate on the connection between food, mood and academic performance.

Encourage students to engage with their meals beyond their taste buds. Help them explore the connection between the foods you serve and their emotional and physical development. Start building the story around balanced eating and how your offerings support it through signage, conversations and partnerships with other school groups and activities.

There are endless ways to engage students on their life-long journey to well-being. Find what works for your unique program, and know that even the smallest steps go a long way.