Elementary Nutrition Guidelines
Allergy Alert: All Lower Elementary classrooms are peanut and tree nut free environments.
Guidelines
Children should arrive at school having eaten a healthy balanced breakfast including fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein.
As a step toward becoming independent, we ask that students pack their own lunch. When possible, children should take part in shopping for food items they like to eat for lunch. When in doubt, choose a “rainbow” of colors and textures of foods. This will ensure the inclusion of fresh foods from various food groups.
Organic 2% milk is delivered on Monday of each week. Children may drink milk or water for lunch.
Please do not allow your student to bring desserts and sugary snacks, fruit drinks and other sweet drinks, carbonated and caffeinated beverages.
Here are some suggestions of foods to include in lunches:
Chicken
Tuna
Hard-boiled eggs
Fish
Beans, peas, lentils
Cheese
Cottage cheese
Fresh fruit
Dried fruit (no sugar added)
Fresh vegetables
Yogurt
Berries
Whole grain breads, wraps, pitas
Pasta
Rice
Many recent studies on health, nutrition and the brain have shown that that brain cells need nutrients to function optimally. Nutrients can have an impact on cognitive processes as well as emotions. Given this information, we realize the children’s school work and relationships with peers may be affected by the nutritional quality of their meals, beginning with breakfast. Other studies have shown that children become impulsive and had a shorter attention span when they skip breakfast.
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