Sample Healthy Eating Policy

 

The following is a sample Healthy Eating Policy that can be adapted to your school's requirements:

 

As part of the Social, Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E.) Programme we encourage the children to become more aware of the need for healthy food in their lunch boxes. In addition, the Physical Education programme supports the physical developmentand fitness of the children. The Science curriculum also

looks at the development of the body and deepens the children’s understanding of how the body grows and develops.

 

Aims of this policy:

 

• To promote the personal development and well being of the child.

• To promote the health of the child and provide a foundation for healthy living in all its aspects.

• To enable the child to appreciate the importance of good nutrition for growing and developing and staying healthy.

• To enable the child to accept some personal responsibility for making wise food choices and adopting a healthy balanced diet.

 

Lunch is an important meal for school going children. It should provide one third of their recommended daily allowance of nutrients without being high in fat, sugar or salt. It should also provide dietary fibre (roughage).

To ensure good concentration it is important for children to drink lots of water, so please encourage your child to bring a bottle of water.

 

A Word about Milk

Growing children should get approximately one pint of milk a day. This ensures that they get enough calcium,

which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.

 

The Healthy Lunch Guidelines

Children in each class were asked to discuss what they thought should be in a healthy lunch. From these discussions the following guidelines emerged.

 

What is a healthy lunch?

 

• It is full of goodness like protein, vitamins and calcium.

• Contains food with no sugar, because too much sugar is bad for your teeth.

• Contains no colouring or additives.

• Gives us strength and energy

• Makes us fit and healthy

• Helps our brain power

•  

What could be in a healthy lunch?

 

• Sandwiches or rolls with cheese, meat or other fillings.

• Pitta bread, crackers

• Fruit

(peeled and chopped for small children)

• Vegetables

(washed and chopped)

• Pasta

• Salad

• Small, plain biscuits (no chocolate)

• Yoghurt (easy to open)

 

What should not be in a healthy lunch?

 

• Crisps, salted nuts or popcorn

• Chocolate, sweets, lollipops or jellies

• Chewing gum

• Cake, biscuits, pastries or doughnuts

• Chocolate spread

• Fizzy drinks

• Flavoured milk

 

Who should make sure everyone follows the rules?

 

• Our parents, because they make our lunch and should set a good example. They are responsible for our health.

• We should, because it's our health and we want to be fit and full of energy.

• Teachers, because they can see what's in our lunch boxes and know who's eating the right foods everyday.

• The Principal

 

Should we make exceptions for special occasions?

 

• Yes, for treats, after communion or confirmation

• Yes, for end of term parties

• Yes, for school trips

 

We hope these guidelines will assist everybody in making healthy choices.