St. Mary’s N.S.
Healthy Eating Policy
Introductory Statement
The Healthy Eating Policy was drawn up in 2006 in consultation with the Parents’ Association and Staff.
It was revised in 2008 in consultation with the Staff and Parents Association
Relationship to the Characteristic Ethos of the School.
St. Mary’s N.S. strives to nurture, cherish and encourage children to reach their full potential. St. Mary’s N.S. also seeks to accommodate diversity and acknowledges that for cultural, religious or medical reasons, some children will have dietary restrictions, including, on occasion, fasting
Rationale
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.
Aims
- 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.
Content
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
The traditional packed lunch of milk and sandwiches is under attack from a range of convenience foods like crisps, sweets, biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks. Parents and teachers are concerned about this trend but some find it difficult to come with popular healthy alternatives. We ask Parents to encourage a healthy lunch right from the start.
The following guide is designed to help Parents provide quick, appetising and nutritious lunches for your children.
Bread & Alternatives Savouries
Bread or rolls preferably wholemeal Lean Meat
Rice – wholegrain Chicken/Turkey
Pasta-wholegrain Quiche Wholemeal scones Pizza
Fruit & Vegetables Drinks
Apples, Banana Peach Milk
Mandarins, Orange Segments Fruit Juices
Fruit Salad, dried fruit Squash i.e. low sugar
Plum, Pineapple cubes Yoghurt
Grapes.
Cucumber, Sweetcorn
Tomato,
Coleslaw
A Word about Milk
Growing children should get approximately one pint of milk a day, or its equivalent as cheese or yoghurt. This ensures that they get enough calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
Foods not allowed in school
Crisps
Fizzy drinks
Sweets
Chocolate biscuits/bars
Chewing gum
Sports Drinks
A very simple approach to healthy eating is to use the Food Pyramid:
Fats
Sugar Sparingly
Sweets etc.,
Meat/Fish
Peas/Beans 2 portions per day
Milk Cheese
Yoghurt 3 + portions per day
Fruit & Vegetables 4 + portions per day
Bread, Cereals & Potatoes 6 + portions per day
Success Criteria
- An improvement in the type of food and drink brought by children to school.
- An increased awareness by the children of the need to eat healthy food on a regular basis.
Implementation
This revised policy will be implemented from March 2008.
Review
It will be reviewed again in 2010
Ratification
The policy was re- ratified by the Board of Management
On 31stJanuary 2017.
Signed: ________________________________________
Communication
A copy of the policy will be put on the school website.
A copy will be given to the parents of all new children, when they start school.