Healthy Eating Policy
For many years Naíscoil Íde has been actively raising the awareness of pupils in the school on the importance of healthy eating. This policy is a natural progression from this and was drawn up by the staff along with a representative group of parents from the Parents Association. We approach this policy with the understanding that ultimately children’s appetites and tastes differ and it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that his/her child eats healthily.
Rationale
Naíscoil Íde, through these guidelines, aims to help all those involved in our school community, children, staff and parents, develop positive and responsible attitudes to food and nutrition and to appreciate the benefits that healthy food and drink habits make to overall health and wellbeing. Our SPHE, Science & PE programmes endorse this view:
SPHE
Science
PE
Relationship to Characteristic Spirit of the School
In accordance with our aim to develop pupils to the best of their ability, we see ourselves as having a role in the process of enabling pupils to increase control over and improve their health.
Aims:
Objectives:
Guidelines
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. Lunch should also provide dietary fibre (roughage). A copy of the food pyramid will be displayed in every classroom.
Rationale
Naíscoil Íde, through these guidelines, aims to help all those involved in our school community, children, staff and parents, develop positive and responsible attitudes to food and nutrition and to appreciate the benefits that healthy food and drink habits make to overall health and wellbeing. Our SPHE, Science & PE programmes endorse this view:
SPHE
- Strand Unit: Taking care of My Body (knowing about my food/food & nutrition)
- Strand Unit: Self-identity (making decisions)
Science
- Strand: Living Things
- Strand Unit: Myself: Human Life Processes
PE
- General: Development of health-related fitness
Relationship to Characteristic Spirit of the School
In accordance with our aim to develop pupils to the best of their ability, we see ourselves as having a role in the process of enabling pupils to increase control over and improve their health.
Aims:
- to promote the personal development and well being of the child
- to promote the health of the child ,provide a foundation for healthy living in all aspects
- to promote healthy eating habits for life
Objectives:
- to heighten awareness of the importance of a balanced diet
- to encourage the children to make wise choices about food and nutrition
- to raise levels of concentration within class due to consumption of healthy food
- to encourage pupils to be aware, alert and responsive to litter problems caused by junk food, pre-prepared food, juice cartons etc.
Guidelines
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. Lunch should also provide dietary fibre (roughage). A copy of the food pyramid will be displayed in every classroom.
A very simple approach to healthy eating is to use the Food Pyramid is as follows:
Foods and drinks high in fat, sugar & salt ≈≈≈≈≈≈ not every day
Reduced fat spreads & oils, ≈≈≈≈≈≈ to be used sparingly
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans & nuts ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 2 portions per day
Milk, yogurt & cheese ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 3-5 portions per day
Fruit & vegetables ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 5+ portions per day
Breads, cereals, rice, pasta & potatoes ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 6+ portions per day
Definition
A healthy lunch is a recommended mix of items from the food pyramid. The pyramid is divided into six shelves, each representing a different food group. Choosing a variety of foods from each shelf ensures that children have a balanced and healthy diet. Most of children’s foods should be chosen from the bottom two shelves of the Healthy Food Pyramid. Smaller amounts of food should be chosen from the next two shelves. Foods near the top of the pyramid should be used sparingly and foods from the very top shelf should not be taken everyday. Children eat their lunches each day at 11.50. There is also a three minute fruit break during the morning when the children are encouraged to eat a small piece of prepared fruit (fruit is available in school for those who have none).At these time teachers and school staff supervise and reinforce the schools policy on choosing to eat healthy food.
Promotion
All members of the teaching staff will promote this policy with regular verbal reminders and with setting a good example to the children. A copy of the food pyramid will be displayed in every classroom. Information on healthy eating will be taught in all classes as part of the SPHE programme. Each September our Healthy Eating Policy will be promoted during Healthy Eating Awareness Week. Plain healthy foods with a strong emphasis on sandwiches, dairy products and fruit are encouraged. Water and milk are the preferred drinks (milk is available in school). Children will bring uneaten food home. In an effort to reduce litter in our school, children are encouraged to keep food wrappings to a minimum and to bring home their rubbish.
Exceptions
Staff will not give children sweets or chocolate as a reward, in general. However, occasionally treats may be given in school at the teacher’s discretion depending on individual behaviour plans, special educational needs, etc. In these situations, parents will be involved in the planning. Occasionally the teacher may hold an end of term party in the classroom. As these situations are not a regular occurrence in classes, an exception is made to the policy. After-school clubs are not covered by this policy as they are run outside of school. However, the clubs will be informed of the policy.
Success criteria
We will know that the policy is effective when healthy eating has become a habit for all pupils and children can be observed around the school eating healthy food and drinks.
Roles and Responsibility
Staff, parents and pupils will ensure that the policy is implemented and will feed back to the Board of Management through the Principal. The Board of Management will monitor the progress of the policy, encourage and accept feedback on its implementation.
Timeframe for Implementation
This policy was ratified by the B.O.M. on Monday 11th November 2013 and has been in operation since.
Timeframe for Review
This policy will be reviewed in 2018 or earlier if deemed necessary.
John Swords Chairperson BOM
Foods and drinks high in fat, sugar & salt ≈≈≈≈≈≈ not every day
Reduced fat spreads & oils, ≈≈≈≈≈≈ to be used sparingly
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans & nuts ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 2 portions per day
Milk, yogurt & cheese ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 3-5 portions per day
Fruit & vegetables ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 5+ portions per day
Breads, cereals, rice, pasta & potatoes ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 6+ portions per day
Definition
A healthy lunch is a recommended mix of items from the food pyramid. The pyramid is divided into six shelves, each representing a different food group. Choosing a variety of foods from each shelf ensures that children have a balanced and healthy diet. Most of children’s foods should be chosen from the bottom two shelves of the Healthy Food Pyramid. Smaller amounts of food should be chosen from the next two shelves. Foods near the top of the pyramid should be used sparingly and foods from the very top shelf should not be taken everyday. Children eat their lunches each day at 11.50. There is also a three minute fruit break during the morning when the children are encouraged to eat a small piece of prepared fruit (fruit is available in school for those who have none).At these time teachers and school staff supervise and reinforce the schools policy on choosing to eat healthy food.
Promotion
All members of the teaching staff will promote this policy with regular verbal reminders and with setting a good example to the children. A copy of the food pyramid will be displayed in every classroom. Information on healthy eating will be taught in all classes as part of the SPHE programme. Each September our Healthy Eating Policy will be promoted during Healthy Eating Awareness Week. Plain healthy foods with a strong emphasis on sandwiches, dairy products and fruit are encouraged. Water and milk are the preferred drinks (milk is available in school). Children will bring uneaten food home. In an effort to reduce litter in our school, children are encouraged to keep food wrappings to a minimum and to bring home their rubbish.
Exceptions
Staff will not give children sweets or chocolate as a reward, in general. However, occasionally treats may be given in school at the teacher’s discretion depending on individual behaviour plans, special educational needs, etc. In these situations, parents will be involved in the planning. Occasionally the teacher may hold an end of term party in the classroom. As these situations are not a regular occurrence in classes, an exception is made to the policy. After-school clubs are not covered by this policy as they are run outside of school. However, the clubs will be informed of the policy.
Success criteria
We will know that the policy is effective when healthy eating has become a habit for all pupils and children can be observed around the school eating healthy food and drinks.
Roles and Responsibility
Staff, parents and pupils will ensure that the policy is implemented and will feed back to the Board of Management through the Principal. The Board of Management will monitor the progress of the policy, encourage and accept feedback on its implementation.
Timeframe for Implementation
This policy was ratified by the B.O.M. on Monday 11th November 2013 and has been in operation since.
Timeframe for Review
This policy will be reviewed in 2018 or earlier if deemed necessary.
John Swords Chairperson BOM
