St Mary’s School, Ballyconnell, Co. Carlow Roll Number: 00977B

Reviewed: February 2019
Ratified: March 2019
Full Review: 2022/23

Part of a suite of documents which form the whole-school policy on Health and Safety

Healthy Eating Policy

Introduction

St Mary’s National School, Ballyconnell has had a healthy eating policy for many years. It was last reviewed in 2006. This current review was prompted by:

• Our ongoing commitment to health and wellbeing of the children in our care.

• A need to articulate more clearly what children should or should not eat as part of their

  lunches and snacks whilst in school.

• Our participation in Active Schools this year.

  Background

  This year we decided to have a Healthy Lunches promotion throughout the school. All teachers taught lessons based on healthy eating and the food pyramid.

  Links to Curriculum

  As part of the Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) 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 development and 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 the Policy

• To promote the personal development, health and well-being of the child

• 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

• To support parents in their efforts to provide healthy nutrition for their children

• To foster awareness of healthy alternatives to junk food

• To nurture an interest in the preparation of healthy food and enjoyment of eating

Healthy Lunches

A healthy lunch should be based around the food pyramid.

1. Cereals/Breads

We encourage wholemeal breads, crackers, pitta breads, flatbreads, wraps. Children may also bring cereals so long as they are low in sugar. We do not encourage cereal bars which tend to be high in sugar. Cereals and breads are at the bottom of the food pyramid and therefore should form a large portion of lunches.

2. Fruit/Vegetables

Lunches can include portions of fruit, berries, vegetables, salads. Variety is important for children and helps to encourage them to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are near the bottom of the food pyramid and therefore should form a large portion of healthy lunches.

The Food Dudes Programme was introduced in the 2013/2014 school year to encourage the children to eat more fruit and vegetables. All children took part in this programme.

In a number of the younger classes, there is a “fruit break” as part of their transition to another subject (approx. 10 am)

3. Dairy

This includes milk, cheese, yoghurts. In the case of yoghurts, yoghurt drinks, etc., care must be taken that they do not contain too much sugar. Dairy portions should be a smaller part of a child’s lunch.

4. Fish/Meat/Eggs (Protein)

This includes meats, fish, and eggs - which may form part of a sandwich/roll/pitta etc. The portions should be relatively small as this section is near the top of the food pyramid. Nuts and seeds can also be used to supplement children’s protein intake, if necessary. Nuts should not be salted or sweetened if they are to be included in lunches. Please be aware that nuts can be a severe allergen for some children. The school will inform you if a student in the school/your child's class has such an allergy. In this case, nuts cannot form part of your child's lunch.

5. Drinks

Children are encouraged to drink water and many teachers allow children to have their drink bottles on their tables so that they drink water all during the day. Children may also drink milk. We do not encourage sugary drinks, juices which are high in sugar, or drinks with sugar substitutes.

Our focus in this policy is to promote foods which the children can readily have for daily lunch. There are, however, some foods/drinks which we do not allow:

• Chewing gum

• Chocolate, sweets, bars

• Crisps, Nachos, Doritos, Pringles, etc.

• Cakes, biscuits, desserts

• Fizzy drinks

• High sugar cereals and cereal bars

• High sugar yoghurts, especially those with sweet corners

  These items are at the top of the food pyramid and should be eaten infrequently, not as part of children’s daily lunches.

  Exceptions will, if necessary, be made for children with special dietary requirements i.e. coeliac disease or diabetes.
  Children who bring a banned product into school will have the product confiscated.
  On special occasions, pupils may be rewarded with treats.

  On outings, children may be allowed a small treat such as a fun-size/cereal bar.

  Further reading

  There are many resources and books available to help with promoting healthy eating for children. We recommend:

• Eat Smart; Move More (produced by the HSE)

• Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Primary Schools (produced by the Department of Health) We will provide links to these documents on our website as a means of supporting parents in the implementation of this policy. See also healthy lunches tips included at the end of the policy.

  Review and Ratification

  This policy has been in operation in St Mary’s, Ballyconnell since at least 2007. It will only be successful with the good-will, common sense, and full co-operation of the whole school community.

  It will be fully reviewed in 2022/23 unless changes to guidelines or procedures cause an earlier review. When adopted by the Board of Management, it will be published on the school website.

Healthy Lunches Tips

1 portion of starchy foods such as bread and cereals

• A slice of bread, a bread roll, tortilla wrap, pitta bread

• A couple of handfuls of popcorn (plain, unsalted), a scone

• Slice of deep pan pizza - avoid pepperoni, sausage, spicy meat, and double cheese

• 3-4 tablespoons of rice or pasta

  1 portion of dairy

• A pot of custard or yoghurt

• A carton/glass of milk

• A triangle of spreadable cheese of 2 cheese slices

  1 portion of meat or alternatives

• One slice of meat or cheese in sandwich filling

• One hard-boiled egg, half a small can of tuna or salmon

• 1-2 tablespoons of chickpea spread, e.g. hummus - try as a dip with carrots/ celery