Supporting students in building lifelong healthy habits
March is National Nutrition Month, making it the perfect time for educators to help students explore healthy eating, hydration, and wellness habits they can practice at school and at home. This teacher‑focused guide provides practical classroom tools, discussion prompts, and student activities designed to support positive health routines for students and families.
1. Morning Fuel: Teaching the Importance of Breakfast A nutritious breakfast helps students start the day alert and ready to learn.
Class Discussion Prompt• “How does what you eat in the morning affect your mood, energy, or focus?”
Teach Students the Breakfast Formula
A balanced breakfast helps students start the day focused and ready to learn. Aim to include:
- Whole grains (ex: oatmeal, whole‑grain cereal)
- Protein (ex: eggs, yogurt, cheese)
- Fruit/Vegetables (ex: banana, berries, spinach smoothie)
If mornings are rushed, try grab and go options like:
- Granola bar + string cheese + an apple
- Yogurt cup + fruit
- Pre-made smoothie
Classroom Activity
“Build a Better Breakfast” Sorting Game
Students sort real or picture‑based foods into the three breakfast categories above.
2. Balanced Plates at Lunch
Whether students eat at school or bring lunch from home, a “balanced plate” is a simple visual guide:
Balanced Plate Visual
- ½ plate: Fruits and vegetables
- ¼ plate: Whole grains
- ¼ plate: Lean protein
- Plus: Optional dairy/dairy alternative
Class Activity
Plate‑Building Worksheet
Students draw or place food pictures on the different sections of a paper plate.
Student Choice Prompts
Involve students in planning and packing lunch. Offer a choice:
- “Should we pack carrots or cucumber slices today?”
- “Do you want turkey on whole‑wheat bread or in a whole‑grain wrap?”
3. Smarter Snacking
Snacks can be a big part of a child’s daily nutrition. Instead of highly processed foods or sugary treats, aim for snacks that include fiber, protein, or healthy fats to keep kids full and focused.
Healthy Snack Ideas for Students
Student Activity
Create a “Snack Station” Poster
Home tip: students design posters showing grab‑and‑go healthy snacks they want available at home or school.
4. Hydration Habits
Hydration: The “Forgotten” Healthy Habit
Staying hydrated is an easy but often overlooked part of good nutrition. Dehydration can lead to headaches, low energy, and trouble concentrating.
Simple hydration goals:
- Encourage students to start the day with a glass of water.
- Send a refillable water bottle to school each day.
- Choose water most of the time instead of sugary drinks.
Try this at home:
- Add slices of lemon, lime, berries, or cucumber to water for extra flavor.
- Make “hydration checks” a fun family habit—pause once or twice a day to ask, “Have we had some water recently?”
5. National Nutrition Month Classroom Challenges
We invite all families, students, and staff to participate in our March nutrition-focused challenges. Here are a few ways to get involved:
“Color Your Plate” Classroom Challenge
- Try to include 3 colors of fruits or veggies in your lunch. Students track colors on a class chart.
“New Food Friday”
- Each Friday in March, students try a new fruit, vegetable, or whole grain and share reactions.
“Water Wins” Daily Log
- Students replace one sugary drink with water and track progress with stickers.
Together, we can use National Nutrition Month to build habits that last far beyond March. Let’s make this a month of colorful plates, full water bottles, active bodies, and families learning and growing together.
Help your students build healthy habits that last by exploring the trusted resources behind these tips. Visit our website to check out the full G‑W Publisher Health titles—or dive deeper with Nutrition and Wellness for Life—to find ready‑to‑use lessons, activities, and evidence‑based nutrition guidance that supports meaningful learning in every classroom. Discover more and preview the titles today!
Let’s work together to encourage healthy living!
Photo Credits:
Thumbnail: alan.mazzocco/shutterstock.com
Images: Courtesy of G-W Health Textbooks
