Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

School has re-opened and what again are in the lunch boxes of our children, even as it is not all the time they are going to be on campus but would also be distance learning from our homes through blended education because SARS-CoV2 is still around.

Medical and education specialists including the World Health Organisation have emphasised the relevance of going back to school and university campuses as doing so would be beneficial: allows students to complete their studies and move on to the next level; access to nutrition and child welfare with the reduction of domestic violence inflicted on them; access to reliable information on how to keep themselves and others safe; reduction of the inability and risk to return to school; allows parents and other older family members to return to work or get employed.

Meantime, aside from Al Zahra Hospital (Dubai) specialist paediatrician Dr. Nagwa Iskandar Elkhouli and India Gate clinical dietician Dr. Dana Al Hamwi sharing tips for the immune system boosting of the pupils and students against mild to severe health conditions, do our children carry with them their own anti-COVID-19 “protective kit,” which, according to Dubai Health Authority-Public Health Department-Health Promotion and Education head Dr. Hend Al Awadhi, contain “hand sanitisers, face masks, and tissues?”

Al Awadhi said it must also be made clear to them that these, apart from physical distancing and other hygiene practices, are now part and parcel of their daily lives in the so-called “new normal” not only for their own safety and benefit but for others as well.

Al Awadhi said parents with the help of other older family members must continually engage their children in conversations about the significance of being in school although not as regular as before: “Talk to them frequently (to notice if there are behavioural changes). Let them bring their own (home-prepared lunch boxes). Teach them to clean and disinfect their desks. Do not let them exchange books or stationery. (Update them) on COVID-19 so they are not going to spread rumours.”

For the healthy lunch boxes which must be packed with energy boosting food without the high-processed and junk food, Elkhouli and Al Hamwi remind parents, older family members and nannies not to forget that bottle or two of water.

Meanwhile, The Philippine Global School (Abu Dhabi) principal Lizabeth Comia and United International Private School acting principal Rose Natividad said they were closely working with the parents concerning nutrition and health, even pre-COVID-19. There have been communications through monthly advisories and periodic seminars on what a healthy lunch box is.

Comia said: “We have the Kanjen Water in our premises, a project of the student council last year. As part of the motivation, our students who have the most number of days and the most varied fruits and vegetables eaten are given awards.”

Natividad said part of the awareness are competitions through literature and painting as to what a nutritious meal is: “We have the colour-coding of fruits and vegetables like yellow fruit for Monday and green veggies for Tuesday.”

Elkhouli said: “Do not underestimate the importance of keeping hydrated especially in the heat that we are in. Children should drink between two and eight cups of water a day depending on their age (to prevent dehydration and fatigue).”

She said children must be encouraged to eat protein-rich food and food low in sodium, low fat dairy products and soy drinks, whole grains, not to forget the combination of the rainbow colours of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Al Hamwi said high-processed foods “have a negative impact on the immune system” and these must be substituted instead with “energy-packed healthy meals.”

“The final piece of the puzzle when it comes to strengthening the body and the immune system is sufficient water, exercise and sleep. Encourage the children to drink water at regular intervals. While exercising in school may not be as simple as it used to be, plan some indoor activities which include movement and exercise. Most importantly, ensure that your children get sufficient sleep because that is when their body recoups and repairs itself,” she said.