- total calories from fat - less than 30%
- total calories from saturated fat - less than 10%
- added sugar by volume/weight - less than 35%
- sodium - less than 600 mg
These guidelines apply to classrooms, school offices, school stores, fund raisers, and even staff lounges. This policy is designed to help us limit sugary and fatty foods available to students and to help adults model healthy eating behaviors. HOWEVER, it has raised lots of questions, concerns and even challenges.
- Can parents bring cupcakes for classroom birthday parties?
- Will students still be able to sell candy for fund raisers?
- Are adults prohibited from having soda at school?
- Can the district monitor what kids pack in their lunches?
This site is a forum for addressing some of these questions. It's also a place for staff, parents and students to share good ideas and suggestions. So, check back often and post your comments, ideas and questions.
2 comments:
I'm glad that we have taken junk food and soda out of the vending machines used by students. Whatever we put in those machines de facto becomes part of our "curriculum" because the District is effectively endorsing it. And, because it involves a monetary transaction with the student, it's a powerful endorsement. I've heard complaints by parents over the years about school vending machine junk food's effect on their children's dental health and extenuated eating habits.
As an adult and a parent who--like many Americans--confronts my own junk food habit every day, I'm glad that my child's school vending machine "curriculum" is getting more wholesome.
(thx for this blog, Michelle. It's a nice idea.)
Glad you commented! Please let me know if you'd like to be a "guest blogger." I'd love to post somethings from the school perspective --- your experience with kids and parents is far more relevant than mine and I'd welcome a chance to post your perspectives (or those of your students!).
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