These nutrition recommendations apply to all foods available
in venues that are within the district's control but outside the
federally regulated child nutrition programs. The goal is to
address childhood obesity by offering nutrient dense foods from
the five food groups while minimizing foods and beverages that
are high in calories and low in nutrients. These guidelines will
be reviewed annually to assure recommendations reflect current
science.
Reflective of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA),
the recommendations strongly encourage nutrient dense foods including
whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products.
USDA's HealthierUS School Food Challenge criteria for individual
foods sold were followed to set fat calories at ?35% of total
calories with some exemptions made for nutrient dense foods such
as nuts, nut butters, peanut butter and cheese.
USDA's HealthierUS School Food Challenge criteria for individual
foods sold were followed to set total sugar recommendation to
?35% by weight with some consideration given to small amounts
of sugar added to nutrient dense foods to improve palatability
and increase intake as suggested in 2005 Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.
Portion sizes are recommended as a single serving as listed in
the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans with the recognition
that many foods are usually consumed in a two-serving portion
and/or are only available in a larger size package which is acceptable.
The nutrition recommendations provide opportunities for students
to make healthy food choices based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines
for Americans, USDA HealthierUS School Food Challenge criteria
and reflect current science and advice from national organizations
such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic
Association, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.
Implementation of the recommendations assures that healthful
food choices are offered to promote student health and reduce
childhood obesity.
Definitions
Vending Foods - Those foods or beverages purchased from vending machines located anywhere on the school campus, including in the cafeteria and at athletic events.
Other Foods - Any food or beverage sold to students in addition to or in place of the USDA reimbursable school breakfast or lunch. This would be from sources such as a la carte lines or kiosks, school stores or snack bars located anywhere on the school campus, including in the cafeteria and at athletic events.
Foods of High Nutritional Value/Nutrient Dense Foods - Foods of high nutritional value will naturally have a significant amount (greater than 10% of RDI/RDA) of at least one of the following: calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron or fiber. These foods include complex carbohydrates and/or lean protein sources that are low in total fat and saturated fat.
Water - water is a nutrient in its own category that should be included as an essential part of a healthy diet.
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on School Health (2004) Policy statement: Soft drinks in schools. Pediatrics, 113(1), 152-154.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition (1999) Policy statement: Calcium requirements of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics, 104(5), 1152-1157.
Clark, N. (2003). Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook: Eating to Fuel Your Active Lifestyle, 3rd edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001) Nutition and overweight. In Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health. (2001) In Healthy People 2010, volume II. (2001) Nutrition
Kids First, Rhode Island. (2005) Guidelines for choosing healthier snacks and vending Items. Retrieved March 6, 2006 from http://www.seattleschools.org/area/nutrition-svc/KIDS_FIRST_food_guidelines.pdf
Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids. (2004) Massachusetts A la carte food standards to promote a healthier school nutrition environment. Retrieved December 1, 2005 from http://www.maclearinghouse.com/PDFs/Health&Wellness/MA_Food_Standards.pdf
National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity. (2005) Model school wellness policies. Retrieved December 1, 2005 from http://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/WellnessPolicies.html
National Dairy Council. (200). Cheese. Retreived March 6, 2006 from http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/nationaldairycouncil/nutrition/products/product_cheese.pdf
New Hampshire Dental Society and New Hampshire Health Professionals for Healthier School Nutrition. (2003) Soft drinks - What's happening to our youth? Retrieved March 6, 2006 from http://www.nhds.org/NHDS_SodaToolkit.pdf
Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition / AFHK. (2005) Rhode Island Healthy Schools nutrition guidelines for school vending and a la carte foods. Retrieved December 1, 2005 from http://www.newenglanddairycouncil.org/wellness/RInutritionvendingalacarte0105.pdf
United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services. (n.d.) HealthierUS school challenge. Retrieved March 6, 2006 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/index.html
References (continued)
United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition
Services. (n.d.) National school lunch program. Retrieved March
6, 2006 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/
United States Department of Health and Human Service, and United
States Department of Agriculture (2005) Dietary guidelines for
Americans 2005. Retrieved December 1, 2005 from http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/
Other Resources:
Action For Healthy Kids - www.actionforhealthykids.org
American Cancer Society/ Healthy Schools Healthy Kids - www.schoolhealth.info/
American Dietetic Association - http://www.eatright.org
American Heart Association - www.americanheart.org
5 A Day / Produce for Better Health Foundation - www.5aday.org
National Dairy Council - www.nationaldairycouncil.org
New England Dairy & Food Council - www.newenglanddairycouncil.org
School Nutrition Association - http://www.asfsa.org
USDA Team Nutrition - www.fns.usda.gov/tn