Principal: Mr.Pádraig Ó hArtaigh Deputy Principal: Ms. Louise Enright Class Teachers: Ms. Mary O’Shea Ms. Áine Walsh/Ms. Maria Moore Ms. Fiona O’Brien Ms.Emma Murray Ms. Kim Daly Mr. Mark Nugent Mr. John Coffey Ms. Mary Beresford S.N.A.s Ms. Anita Duggan Mr. Deaglán Ó hArtaigh Mr. Tomás de Faoite Ms. Nicola Fitzgerald Ms. Lorraine Coughlan
Introduction The school is dedicated to providing an environment that promotes healthy eating and enabling pupils to make informed choices about the food they eat. This will be achieved by the whole school approach to food and nutrition documented in this whole school food policy. This whole school food policy and healthy eating strategy is co-ordinated by all staff members.
Aims
To enable pupils to make healthy food choices through the provision of information and development of appropriate skills and attitudes.
To provide healthy food choices throughout the day.
To raise levels of concentration within class due to consumption of healthy food.
Links to Curriculum Food and nutrition is taught at an appropriate level in each class through the science and SPHE curriculum. It is taught at a whole school level through school assemblies, healthy eating week and various initiatives. Our healthy eating week will take place in January of each year. Artwork, projects will consolidate our healthy eating message to the children. Food and drink provision throughout the school day Packed Lunches Aim To ensure that all packed lunches brought from home and consumed in school provide the pupil with healthy and nutritious food. Packed lunches should include;
At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day.
Meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus or falafel) every day
Suggested: Oily fish, such as salmon
A starchy food such as any type of bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day aim for wholegrain varieties.
Dairy food such as low-fat milk, low-fat cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais, soya products everyday
Only water
Packed lunches should not include:
Snacks such as crisps. Instead, seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added sugar or fat).
Confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits, chocolate spread, sweets and chewing gum.
Certain meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages should be included only occasionally.
Fizzy or sugary drinks
The following table from www.healthyfoodforall.com Bread, cereals and potatoes Bread( all types, plain or toasted), rolls, pitta breads, crackers(preferably wholegrain/whole wheat), pasta, spaghetti, rice
2 servings for lunch 1 serving is : 1 slice of bread 1 medium roll 2 crackers 2 tablespoons of cooked pasta/rice
Fruit and vegetables Vegetables – cooked or raw, salad vegetables, vegetable sticks, all fresh fruit, dried fruit, unsweetened pure fruit juice 1 or more servings for lunch 1 serving is : 1 large piece of fruit e.g. 1 apple/1 orange/1 banana 2 small pieces of fruit e.g. 2 satsumas/2 kiwis
100ml unsweetened pure fruit juice ⅟2 tin of fruit, in own juice 2 tablespoons of vegetables 1 small salad
Milk, cheese and yoghurt Low-fat milk and cheese is recommended 1 serving for lunch 1 serving is : 1 glass of milk 1 yoghurt 1 oz cheddar cheese 2 slices processed cheese
Meat, fish and alternatives Meat (lean beef/lamb/pork/ham), chicken/turkey, Eggs, fish, nuts(whole nuts are not suitable for children under 5 years), peanut butter, cheese, textured vegetable protein/tofu/beans 1 serving for lunch 1 serving is: 2 slices of cooked meat (2oz) 2 slices chicken/turkey breast (2oz) 3 oz fish e.g. tuna/salmon/mackerel/sardines 2 eggs – hard boiled/sliced/mashed 2oz cheddar cheese
Drinking Water Water is the most tooth-friendly drink and children are encouraged to drink plenty of water throughout the school day. We encourage all children to bring a water bottle with them to school. Children are encouraged to take a water break at regular intervals throughout the day. Don’t forget to change plastic bottles, if refilling, regularly. Consequences If children bring inappropriate lunch items we will, respectfully, ask the parents not to include it in the future. In exceptional circumstances a note should be provided by a parent/guardian.
Special Dietary Requirements The school also recognises that some pupils may have verified medical conditions requiring special diets that do not allow for the standards to be met exactly. In this case parents are requested to notify the teacher and to be responsible in ensuring that packed lunches are as healthy as possible. Success Criteria This policy will have been deemed effective if the children develop a habit of eating a healthy balanced lunch. Roles and Responsibility The teachers will implement and develop this policy with the support of the pupils and parents. It will be monitored on a continuous basis.