Students require good nutrition to promote:• Goodhealth

• Growth

• Mentaldevelopment

• Socialskills

Childhoodisthebesttimeinlifetoacquiregoodeatinghabits.

Themessagesyoungpeoplereceiveaboutnutritionshouldbeclear,consistent,andconstant.Gettingchildrenandadolescentstoformhealthyeatinghabitsrequiressupportfromallofus–parents,schools,thecommunity,mediaandGovernment.

The policy states:‘Allfoodsconsumedontheschoolpremiseswillcontributetothehealthandwell-beingofstudents.’

School Lunches Should Meet The Nutritional Standards As Defined Below:Foodshouldprovidenutrients(protein,complexcarbohydrates,calcium,iron,vitaminA,vitaminC,etc.)suppliedfromthefivefoodgroups.

SchoollunchesshouldbeconsistentwiththerecommendationsoftheBermuda’sDailyDietaryGuidelinesEatWellPlate.

PARENTS

Toencouragehealthyeatinginstudents:

• Encouragestudentstoeatbreakfast(e.g.,cerealandlow-fatmilk,sandwiches,fruityogurtorleftovers).

• Modelhealthyeatinghabitsbyprovidinghealthyfoodchoicesandbeveragesforthewholefamilytoenjoy.

• Selecthealthyfoodsforsnacksduringandafterschool(seelistprovided).

• Teachstudentshowtomakenutritiouslunches.

• Providestudentswithanutritiouslunchthatincludes4to5foodsfromthefivefoodgroups.

COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND BUSINESSES

Tosupportyoungpeopleineatinghealthyand:

• Providenutritiouslybalancedfoodsforsaletoyoungpeople.

• Providenutritiousfoodsatsocialevents.

• Provideahealthyenvironment(i.e.,makinghealthyfoodchoicesavailableatthecheck-outstand).

• Makehealthyfoodsaffordable.

THE FIVE FOOD GROUPS

• MeatGroup:fish,chicken,eggorvegetarianalternativessuchaspeanutbutter,beans,lentils,tofuandsoyproducts.

• MilkGroup:milk,cheese,low-fatpuddingoryogurt.

• BreadandCerealGroup:bread(wholewheat,multigrain,rye,smallbagels,etc.)varietybreads(herbed,pocket,onion,orraisin),pasta,riceorunsweetenedcereals.

• Vegetables:chopped,raworcookedvegetablessalads.

• Fruit:pieceoffruit,fruitcannedinjuiceorlightsyrup,driedfruit.

The Department of Education has approved the Food and Nutrition Policy for government schools in support of

keeping students healthy.

ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO:

• Eatavarietyoffoods.

• Chooselow-fatdairyproducts,low-fatmilk;calcium-fortifiedmilkalternativesorjuices;leanermeats:chicken,turkey,tuna;anduselower-fatcookingmethods,i.e.,bakingandgrilling.

• Choosewholegrains,fruits,andvegetables.

• Limittheuseoffoodshighinsaltandsugar.

SCHOOLS

Toencouragehealthyeatinginstudents:

• Teachstudentstheimportanceofnutritionthroughthehealtheducationcurriculum.

• Integratetheprinciplesofnutritioninothersubjects(i.e.,countingfatgramsinmathematics).

• AdoptandendorsetheNutritionPolicy,includingtheVendingMachineandCafeteriaPolicy.

• EnforcetheuseandstandardsoftheSchoolsFood-serviceProvidersContract.

• Encouragethesaleandconsumptionofnutritiousfoodsfromthefivefoodgroups(i.e.,atbakesales,sportsevents,afterschoolprogrammes,lunchtime,andsummerprogrammes).

TEACHERS

Toencouragehealthyeatinghabitsinstudents:

• Beahealthrolemodelandeathealthyluncheswithstudentsduringlunchduty.

• Provideincentivesforthestudentswhobringnutritiouslunches(e.g.,healthylunchboxstickers.)

• Discouragetheuseofcandyorother(non-nutritious)foodsasarewardforgoodwork.

HEALTHY STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL.

The following professionals have endorsed this nutrition policy for schools:

Bermuda Cancer and Health

Bermuda Dental Association

Bermuda Diabetes Association,

Bermuda Dietitian’s Association

Bermuda Heart Foundation

Bermuda Medical Society

Bermuda Nurses’ Association

Bermuda Union of Teachers

Department of Paediatrics, KEMH

P.A.L.S.

Published byGOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA

Ministry of HealthDepartment of Health

Nutrition Services

Tel: 278-6467 / 6468 / 6469

GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDAMinistry of Health

Department of HealthHealth Promotion Office

Tel: 278- 6500 or 278-6502

HEALTHY FOODS ALTERNATIVES FOR LUNCH BOXES AND SNACKS

GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDAMinistry of Health

Department of Health

INSTEADOF TRY

chocolate, candy, fruit roll ups or snacks

light puddings, yogurt, fresh fruit, or canned fruit

in own juice, dried fruit

sweet cakes, pies, pastries, doughnuts

Angel food cake, vegetable or fruit breads, fruit muffins,

bagels, Johnny bread, corn bread

chocolate chip cookies, sweet cookies, cupcakes

whole grain crackers, graham crackers, ginger snaps, vanilla wafers, fig bars, vegetable muffins

chips, corn chips, french fries

air popped popcorn, microwave light popcorn, pretzels, dry unsweetened

cereal

sweetened drink boxes, unsweetened carbonated drinks, sodas, iced teas,

fruit punch

unsweetened water, 100% juice, milk

HEALTHYSCHOOLSNutrition Policy