Guatemala, February 17 – With the start of the school year, it is essential that parents focus not only on school supplies but also on their children's nutrition to ensure they can return to classes with energy, concentration, and optimal development. Nutrition plays a crucial role in children's academic performance, physical development, and overall well-being. A balanced diet contributes to a strong immune system, proper growth, and a healthy brain, all essential for academic success.

The return to school marks the beginning of a new routine that involves long hours of study, extracurricular activities, and, in many cases, greater exposure to viruses and illnesses. Therefore, ensuring that children receive the necessary nutrients for their development is key. Lisa Villanueva, a child nutrition expert at Chispuditos, shares some tips to help parents maximize children's nutrition during this back-to-school season:

1.     It is important to include foods from all 6 different groups : grains and cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and fats.  Each of these 6 groups provides different micronutrients for optimal health and performance.

2.     Grains and cereals provide energy in the form of carbohydrates and B vitamins.  It is preferable not to include refined grains, such as sugar, and instead include wholemeal bread or crackers.  This is one of the food groups that children mostly prefer, so it is not common for their consumption to be deficient.

3.     Fruits also provide carbohydrates, and their contribution of micronutrients is very varied, which is positive.  For example, they contain vitamins A, C, B complex; and the minerals potassium and magnesium.  All of these micronutrients are essential for health and disease prevention.

4.     Vegetables also provide complex carbohydrates that help us maintain a stable energy level throughout the day, as well as a variety of micronutrients. 

5.     Dairy products provide calcium and phosphorus, two important minerals for maintaining healthy and strong bones

6.     Meats are unique in their nutritional contribution because they provide highly absorbable protein and two essential micronutrients: iron and zinc.  These minerals are crucial for cognitive development in childhood and academic performance during school years.  They are necessary for learning, memory, and concentration.  They also have critical functions in the body's ability to defend itself against infections.  This food group is the most deficient in children's diets, so sometimes it is necessary to provide a nutritional supplement.

7.     Finally, the fat group is often included in food preparation.  Other very healthy sources of fat are seeds, such as almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, and pistachios.  These provide vitamins A, D, E and K.  Avocado is one of the best types of fat we can include in our diet.

8.    Nutritional supplements:  When it is not possible to include foods from these 6 groups daily, it is important to provide a supplement to maintain optimal health and performance.  Chispuditos is a nutritional supplement that provides 21 micronutrients from each of these 6 groups.

The return to school is an ideal time to establish healthy habits that benefit children's cognitive and physical development. Good nutrition, combined with a healthy routine that includes exercise, rest, and adequate hydration, will make a difference in children's academic performance. " Incorporating nutrient-rich foods and, when necessary, supplementing with nutritional supplements like Chispuditos, will ensure that children are prepared to face this new school year with vitality, concentration, and health," highlighted Lisa Villanueva, a nutrition expert at the Mahile Institute .

Chispuditos has evolved from distribution through social programs to commercial channels, allowing this supplement to have an even greater long-term impact on children's health. Thanks to its accessibility, parents can now purchase Chispuditos at stores such as Farmacias del Ahorro, Farmacias Cruz Verde, and Meykos.

As children return to school, it's essential that parents pay close attention to their children's health, ensuring they receive the nutrition they need for their development. With Chispuditos, children's education and well-being go hand in hand, providing nutritional support that will allow them to grow strong, healthy, and ready to learn.