Healthy Lunch Box Policy

Healthy eating habits, begun in childhood, influence children's chances of a healthier life. To encourage healthy eating habits from an early age and to improve the overall nutrition of our pupils, it is our policy to promote and implement a "Healthy Lunch Box Policy" in our school.

At present, many parents have already implemented such a policy within their own families, and we encourage the continuation of this.

AIMS:

• To develop awareness in pupils that eating habits formed in childhood, can influence their health and well being throughout their lives.
• To facilitate improved concentration and learning.
• To improve the current eating habits of the children.
• To influence positively the future eating habits of the children.

IMPLEMENTATION:

• Formal learning: At the beginning of the school year as part of S.P.H.E. every 3rd class will learn about the "food pyramid" and the adoption of a balanced diet. This topic will be revised in 4th, 5th and 6th classes.
• Healthy lunches will be encouraged informally during lunchtime.
• Children's lunches could be chosen from the following list:-

(a) Sandwiches, rolls, pitta bread, crackers.......................filled with chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, ham, eggs, tuna salmon, pate, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, raw vegetables or coleslaw...............

(b) Yoghurt

(c) Fruit

(d) Fruit Juice / Smoothies

(e) Milk

(f) Water

• The following items are not allowed

(a) Crisps and crisp-type snacks- including Popcorn

(b) Chewing Gum

(c) Fizzy drinks in cartons, bottles or cans

(d) Chocolate bars, sweets and biscuits

• On Fridays, a chocolate bar, sweets or biscuits may be included as a treat

Note: One of our pupils has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts/almonds. In consideration, parents are asked not to include nuts/peanut butter etc. in their child's lunch.

If you would like to learn more about healthy eating, please visit this website

www.safefoodonline.com

If you would like to check your diet against the food pyramid, please visit this website

www.safefoodonline.com/lunchbox/fooddiary-pyramid.html

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