Event Series: Global Child Nutrition Month

Global Child Nutrition Month

Name: Global Child Nutrition Month
Start: 2025-04-01T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-04-01T23:59:59-05:00

April 1

Global Child Nutrition Month

April is Global Child Nutrition Month. This month raises awareness and funds for school meal programs in developing nations. The color green represents this awareness month.

Additionally, April’s Global Child Nutrition Month is designed to bring awareness to childhood malnutrition. Though children may appear to be at a healthy weight, they can still have a poor diet. Eventually, this can lead to things like stunted growth or wasting (being too thin for their height). It can also place them at a higher risk of developing health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer later in life.

What is Global Child Nutrition Month?

Global Child Nutrition Month is presented by the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF). This organization started in 2006 and aims to improve access to nutritious food for school children in need. Sadly, millions of kids across the globe do not receive proper nutrition from their meals. The GCNF works with local farmers to source healthful food and improve the local economies in these areas. According to the foundation’s website, it prepares children for success and helps them to achieve their potential.

Further, the benefits of schools that provide meals goes far beyond simple sustenance. A school meal program also encourages higher student attendance, leading to an educated populace. Each year, the month of April puts a spotlight on these issues. To learn more about Global Child Nutrition Month and the GCNF, visit their official website: gcnf.org.

Focus on Nutrition During Global Child Nutrition Month

Learn the Fundamentals of Nutrition

Growing bodies need extra attention!

Make smart food choices, including plenty of vegetables, fruits and healthy alternatives.
Get kids involved in meal planning. Kids love healthy options if they’re not provided with junk food alternatives.
Instead of rewarding bad feelings with food, try doing an activity instead.
Eat together as a family to avoid stress eating.
The satisfying crunch of a carrot stick or celery could teach a life lesson a child will carry forever.

Tomorrow’s healthy eating habits begin today.

Learn to Cook

A surprising amount of adults are not very well-versed in the fine art of cooking. Thanks to YouTube and recipe sites, there are tons of free lessons available.

Dental Nutrition

Additionally, while we’re talking about Global Child Nutrition Month, let’s not neglect dental nutrition. It’s important to keep up with oral hygiene. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth. The most nutritious solution to preventing tooth decay in kids? Brushing of course!

Creating Healthy Habits for Kids

Here are a few healthy eating habits you can implement at home today with your kids to assure optimal growth.

Start with a Mighty Breakfast

Include a protein, healthy fat, and complex carbohydrate in their meal. Examples of this include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain toast, a scrambled egg sandwich with mashed avocado on toast, or Greek yogurt with mixed berries.

Prioritize Family Mealtimes

Studies show families that eat together during mealtimes without video distractions encourage kids to to explore a variety of fruits and vegetables and practice mindful eating.

Involve Your Kids in the Kitchen

Assign an age-appropriate task for your child to help you with when you are preparing a meal. Your kids will be more likely to want to try what they helped you make, thus helping them overcome picky eating habits.

These changes may seem small but are significant!