CDC: Kids who eat healthy could do better in school, tips for you to set your kids up for success

EL PASO, Texas -- If your kids are having trouble focusing in school, their diets could be to blame. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says kids who eat a healthy breakfast and drink enough water tend to focus better, remember more of what they are taught in school and be in a better mood.

An El Paso-area registered dietitian, Katharine Tebbetts, says kids should be eating three meals a day and two or three snacks. Those meals should follow the MyPlate model of portioning out different food groups. It includes grains, protein, fruits, vegetables and dairy. Snacks can include cheese sticks or yogurt, nut butters, nuts, fruits or vegetables.

"Some easy options for working parents with their kids would be definitely meal prepping the night before or weekend before, prepping their snacks ahead of time, like having little baggies or cups of snacks," Tebbetts said.

For picky eaters, or kids who might be hesitant to try new, healthy foods, Tebbettes recommends getting them involved in their dietary choices.

"It's really important for parents to get the children involved in every step of the process," Tebbetts said. "Grocery shopping, having them pick out foods that appeal to them in the grocery store. Cooking, get them involved in cooking."