Proper nutrition in the school-age years can reinforce lifelong eating habits that contribute to a student's overall well-being. This will help them grow, reach their full potential, and lead long, healthy lives.

Your body needs healthy fuel to perform, grow, and ward off illness and disease. Good nutrition positively and directly impacts your ability to do well in school. You have the cognitive energy to learn and achieve when your nutritional needs are met. You will be better prepared to learn, more likely to attend school, and more apt to take advantage of learning opportunities.

The winning recipe for a healthy lifestyle includes a combination of good nutrition and physical activity. Your body needs a variety of nutrient-rich foods to grow and prevent illness. It also needs to move and exercise every day.

Key things you need to know about leading a healthy lifestyle are:

• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products.

• Control portion sizes and never "supersize."

• Get active for at least 60 minutes five times a week for ages 6-18.

• Avoid tobacco and illegal drugs altogether.

Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved classroom behavior. Physically fit students sleep better and can handle the physical and emotional challenges they encounter during the day. 

We asked SuperKids Nutrition Founder, Registered Dietitian, and Creator of the Super Crew ®, Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE, and her winning team of nutrition and health experts to provide us with the answers to frequently asked nutrition questions that parents and educators demand to know. This team represents a diverse, nationally recognized group of Registered Dietitians and nutrition professionals who specialize in Childhood, School, and Family Nutrition. They provide nutrition resources, services and fun educational activities to help schools and communities to be their best.

Melissa Halas-Liang is the founder and Editor in Chief of SuperKidsNutrition.com, a website offering expertise and services from a diverse group of national experts who share a passion and commitment for good nutrition. Her purpose is “to save the world one healthy food at a time™”. Melissa is also the author of the Super Crew children’s books which provide fun reading adventures designed to motivate kids to try fruits and vegetables to become strong, smart and healthy.

Halas-Liang is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with a Masters degree in Nutrition Education and holds a Certificate of training for Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. Melissa has over 15 years of diverse experience in nutrition management, counseling, clinical trials, teaching, media and writing and currently serves as Co-President of the Los Angeles District of the California Dietetic Association.

SuperKids Nutrition experts provide trusted, evidence-based and reliable nutrition information and resources to help improve the lives of children and their families. It has become an amazing child nutrition resource that provides easy-to-read, credible information for parents and healthcare professionals, as well as engaging tools to educate children on the importance of eating healthy.

conditioning and expert coaching aren't enough to push you to be your best.Good nutrition must be a key part of your training program for you to succeed