St Fergal’s National School – Healthy Eating Policy
This policy was formulated by the staff of St Fergal’s in consultation with parents, students and Board of Management.
Aims of this policy:
Ø To help all those in our school community – children, staff and parents - to develop positive attitudes to eating and healthy living.
Ø To promote the health of the children and provide a foundation for healthy living.
Ø To enable the children to become more aware of the need for healthy food in their lunch boxes and the importance of good nutrition for growing and staying healthy
Ø To enable the child, as they get older, to accept some personal responsibility for making wise food choices and adopting a healthy balanced diet.
v We hope to review these guidelines at the end of this school year and every two years after that.
Here are our Guidelines to help you make the right decisions for your child’s daily nutrition...
Drinks:
The best choice At meal times only Not tooth friendly
ü It is important that children take enough fluids during the day. If they do not drink enough, they may become dehydrated, thirsty, tired and weak.
ü Water and milk are the most suitable drinks for children.
ü Because of its natural sugar content, unsweetened fruit juice should be consumed with meals and ideally diluted.
Water
Milk
Unsweetened fruit Juice
Flavoured Milk *
Diluted sugar free juices
Yoghurt or milk drinks*
Smoothies*
Fruit Juices (Unsweetened)
Flavoured Water
Sweetened Fruit Juice drink
* Compare brands and choose those that are lower in sugar – You’d be surprised how much sugar are in some drinks.
Food:
The best choice Not Bad Not tooth friendly
Breads and Cereals
Meat and alternatives
Dairy Products
2 slices of bread
1 small roll
1 tortilla wrap
1 Pitta Bread
4-6 Crackers/Breadsticks
Pasta/Rice/Couscous
1 Small Bagel
Rice Cakes/Oatcakes
Crisp Bread
1 Pancake
Plain Scones
Croissants
2 Slices of ham/chicken/turkey etc.
Hummus Dip with some veg sticks.
A pot of natural yoghurt
A Fruit Yoghurt
A small portion of cheddar or other cheeses.
Yoghurts
Cheese triangles
v Every lunchboxes should include some fruit and veg if possible
The following is a list of things that are not allowed in school
Fizzy drinks
Energy Drinks
Popcorn
Crisps
Chewing Gum
Sweets/Lollipops
Fruits Winders (These are considered sweets)
Bars, including cereal bars
Cakes and Pastries e.g. buns, chocolate croissants, doughnuts etc.
Chocolate (including spreads) and Biscuits
Nuts: All nuts are banned in school due to allergies, as well as the following:
· Nut based breads and cereal/health bars containing nuts or labelled “may contain nut traces”
· If your child has eaten peanuts/nuts before coming to school, please be sure their hands and face have been thoroughly washed before entering the school.
· Ask children not to share their lunches.
Children have two break times to eat for about 10-15 minutes each.