Healthy Eating Guidlines

Introductory Statement

These guidelines were formulated after consultation with teachers, pupils and parents of Pope John Paul II NS. The primary school setting provides an excellent opportunity to encourage children to eat healthy food.
These guidelines endeavour to support parents and pupils around developing healthy eating habits at an early age.
The guidelines link to:
A. SPHE: Taking Care of My Body: Food & Nutrition and Making Choices
B. Science: Myself: Human Life Processes

Mission Statement

To promote lifelong education of healthy eating for mind and body.

Objectives/Aims

• To support children make healthy enjoyable decisions around food.
• To help children improve concentration, learning and energy levels
• To develop nutritional awareness i.e. ingredients in foods.
• To protect the school's environment through the use of reusable containers and  minimising wrappers.

Guidelines

• A healthy lunchbox includes a piece of food from the bottom four shelves of the food pyramid.
• Healthier choices of drink include water, milk, unsweetened juice.
• Some of the healthy snacks that we encourage for the small break include fruit, chopped vegetables, flapjacks, yogurt, rice cakes and crackers.
• Foods which have wrappers are to be kept to a minimum and all lunch rubbish must be taken home.
• A practical guide to healthy eating will be provided for everyone.
• Crisps, fizzy drinks, popcorn and chewing gum are not permitted at any time.

Exceptions

• On Fridays children make take in one item from the top shelf of the food pyramid.
• The use of sweets by teachers on special occasions is permitted though, where possible, healthy alternatives are encouraged.

Promotion of the Guidelines

Parents and staff will promote the guidelines throughout the school week.

Roles and Responsibility

The committee will co-ordinate the progress of the guidelines, encourage and accept feedback on its implementation, and report back to staff, parents and pupils.

Timeframe for Implementation

These guidelines will be implemented from May 3rd,  2011.

Timeframe for Review

The guidelines will be reviewed every two years.

Communication of the Guidelines

A draft of the guidelines will be circulated to pupils, parents and teachers and comments and suggestions will be invited. Upon review by staff, parents and pupils, the guidelines may be sent to the Board of Management to be ratified as school policy.