Only those who are given a life-long lesson in health by life, those who return from the dead, will realise how important health is, is an idea in the lost book Nutrition. Therefore, the question is, why don't we teach children about nutrition right from primary school? There are physical sections, why can't there be nutritional sections?
That is not should, but need. Because nutrition is not only for fullness, but for growth, health, disease prevention and comprehensive development. In the context of children in mountainous areas lacking micronutrients, malnourishing, and urban children being overweight and obese, including nutrition subjects in schools is a necessary and breakthrough strategy.
We have a Master Plan for the development of physical strength and stature of Vietnamese people in the period of 2011-2030. But if we only focus on physical training programs but take the nutritional foundation lightly, what is different about building a house from the second floor? A solid physical foundation, an ideal stature, all start with meals. And more, from knowledge to understand, choose and act correctly at each meal.
Imagine generations of students learning to read food labels, understand the role of protein, fiber, vitamins; know how to prepare a healthy meal or distinguish clean food from fast food that is toxic. That is not only knowledge education, but a long-term investment in national health.
And that is also the foundation for future sports talents. Many young Vietnamese athletes go to international arenas with unmatched skills, but their physical strength is weak and their physical condition is low. The fault lies not in them, but in that they were not prepared early, from the simplest things: Nutrition and self-care awareness.
A nutritional lesson for the week, a simple - but correct, easy-to-understand - can be a small change but create a big boost. Nutritional education from schools is the way we sow healthy seeds for the future. A future where Vietnamese people are not only smart, but also tall, persistent, confident in walking...
