VIDEO: The Impacts Of Healthy Food Choices On The Classroom

ABERDEEN, Miss.(WCBI)- It’s been a month now but most high school students are still settling into the classroom.

The Aberdeen School District is working to make sure it’s students are powering through classes with the proper fuel.

Usually, during the summer months, students run the risk of stumbling across unhealthy food choices.

“In the month of August you can really see a difference because they are just like, oh I just want pizza or they are use to getting McDonalds. So having to get back into the routine is kind of tough for them,”said Aberdeen School District Food Services Director Barbra Vasser

It can get tough but Vasser says that’s where the school steps in.

“We operate under offer verses serve. It give the children the option to choose what they want on the plate. Make sure you’re incorporating whole grain options milk and cheese fresh fruit and vegetables every single day. So, we are trying to encourage them to try different things,”said Vasser.

Elisabeth Oliver is the Health and Wellness teacher.

“They’re here to learn and the only way to learn is to get you’re brain going. The only way to do that, is to put the right fuel in your body,”said Oliver.

She says poor food choices can leave a lasting impact on a student’s ability in the classroom.

“When you’re eating fruits and vegetables it’s a more sustained feeling. You don’t have to eat so often or don’t feel like you have to eat so often. You’re able to keep going and sustain the same level of energy,” said Oliver.

“Ultimately, it’s our responsibility as educators and as administrators to teach our students how to make those healthy options. Ultimately the meal that they receive here at the school is one of the healthiest meals that some of them will receive all day. It’s training them here so that when they leave school they’ll be able to make those healthy choices when no one’s around,”said Vasser.

Aberdeen recently received a grant to fund a combination oven. It combines heat and steam. It’s designed to replace cookers and deep fryers.