Of course, there are federal guidelines about nutrition and what kinds of foods should be served in schools- and this includes classroom parties and celebrations. I was so proud as the principal of the middle school when I saw our teachers embrace this more healthy option for our students. Instead of cupcakes and candy being the sole form of refreshments available, popcorn, fruit salad, vegetable sticks with dip, and juice were available. I noticed that the vegetable sticks and fruit were some of the most popular choices and that the kids weren't really filling up on the available cupcakes.
Its been 10 years since the School Board Policy JLCG was written and it is based on some of those federal guidelines. A section of that policy follows:
The School District shall use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA School Meal Program requirements and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs when deciding what foods and beverages will be available to students. These nutrition guidelines apply to the school lunch and breakfast program, foods and beverages sold in vending machines, snack bars, concession stands, school dance/parties/celebrations/meetings, fundraising activities or any school sponsored activities on school grounds.
Foods available during school and at school sponsored activities will meet or exceed the district’s nutrition standard. A recommended list of healthy foods will be available to assist with planning fundraisers and celebrations.
•Schools may sell water throughout the entire school day.
•Items in the vending machines will follow recommended nutritional standards.
•Parents and teachers will be encouraged to model healthy eating habits while on school property.
•All foods and/or physical activity will not be used as a reward or punishment.
Does this mean that all sweets are banned from our schools? No, of course not: it is just a reminder that we are all responsible for ensuring a healthy environment for our students that allows and helps our children succeed academically.
For more information on this topic, the John C. Stalker Institute in Framingham has a very informative web site at http://johnstalkerinstitute.org.
This organization lists foods that are considered to have nutritional value and have a tab for analyzing recipes and ingredients, as well as, compiling an "A-List" of foods that meet nutritional guidelines. Monique Gauthier recently shared some common items from the list that includes general items along with some brand-name foods (pared down from 68 pages):
A-List: "A-cceptable" Items (It was so large, I cut it down even more!)
Snackables (summary)
- Whole Grain Pretzel Sticklets, Rods, Twist
- Nuts and seeds without added fat
- Trail or cereal mix (whole grain, low-sugar cereals)
- Low-fat granola bars
- Low-fat tortilla chips with or without salsa
- Low fat pudding
- Low fat yogurt (squeezables, smoothies, parfaits)
- Low fat Sundays or banana splits (low fat yogurt and fruit topped with whole grain cereal, granola, or crushed graham crackers)
- Pizza with low fat toppings (vegetables and lean ham)
- Pizza dippers with marinara sauce
- Angel food cake, plain or topped with fruit
- Pretzels, low fat popcorn, rice cakes, bread sticks, graham crackers, animal crackers
- Vegetable trays with low fat dip, celery, and carrots
- Dried fruit without added sugars or sweeteners
- Fresh fruit assortments
- Fruit and cheese kabobs
- Fruit salad
- Sliced fruit with low fat yogurt dip
- 100% juices
- Bottled water
- Low fat or non fat milk
- Flavored water / sparkling water (without added sugars or sweeteners)
- Frito-Lay/PepsiCo
- Cheetos Fantastix!
- Doritos Reduced Fat
- Oven Baked Ruffles
- Cool Ranch Flavored Tortilla chips
- Nacho Chips
- Lay's BBQ Potato Crisps
- Lay's Original Potato Crisps
- Tostitos Scoops
- Tortilla Chips
- Quaker Kid's Mix Snack Mix
- Rold Gold Heartzels Pretzels
- Smartfood Delight White Cheddar Popcorn
- Sunchips Snack Mix
- Chex Mix Brand Snack (Hot 'n Spicy)
- Baked Multigrain Crisps
- Baked Vegetable Crisps (original)
- Baked Potato Crisps (Original)
- Baked Ripple Cut Potato Crisps
- Whole Grain Soft Pretzels
- Kellogg's Special K Cracker Chips
- Kettle Brand Real Sliced Potatoes Baked Potato chips
- Cheddar Goldfish Crackers made with Whole Grain
- Baked Animal Crackers
- Cinnamon Mini Animal Grahams
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Bar
- Cocoa Puffs Cereal Bar
- Fruity Cheerios Cereal Bar
- Golden Grahams Cereal Bar
- Nature Valley Chewy Granola Bar
- Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bar
- Trix Cereal Bar
- Keebler Animal Crackers
- Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies Chewy Cereal Bar
- NutriGrain Cereal Bar
- Sunshine Cheez It ---Whole Grain
- Honey Maid Teddy Grahams - Cinnamon
- Graham Crackers---plain
- Frozen Nonfat Yogurt
- Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
- Stonyfield Farm 1.6 oz
- Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezable Fruit Tube 2.2-3.2oz
- Dole Raisins
- Mandarin Oranges in 100% Fruit Juice
- Reduced Fat Cheese Cubes
- String Cheese
- Welch's Fruit Snacks
- Minute Maid 100% Frozen Juice Bars
- Ocean Spray C’raisins Dried Cranberries
- GoGo squeeZ Applesauce on the Go
This is just a short list of food items (again, 68 pages of items on the John Stalker Institute web site!) that have enough nutritional value to be used in schools for after school activities, dances, concerts, academic event nights, etc. I think there is something for everyone: whether you prefer salty snacks or sweet, something on this list will appeal to your sense of taste. Celebrations are fun and can still be fun with some alternative food choices.
