Healthier lunch boxes...An all-island study (2005) looking at the nutritional balance of over 2,500...
Transcript of Healthier lunch boxes...An all-island study (2005) looking at the nutritional balance of over 2,500...
Healthier lunch boxes
Contents
Introduction 3
Benefitsofpromotinghealthierlunchboxes 3
Whatshouldbeinahealthierlunchbox? 4
Stepbystepplan 6
Healthierlunchboxchecklist 14
Integratingwithotherschoolfoodprojects 15
Curriculumlinks 17
References 18
Sourcesoffurtherinformation 20
Introduction Benefits of promoting healthier lunch boxes
Thishealthierlunchbox
guidancehighlightseasy
waysforyourschoolto
promotehealthierfoodand
drinkchoicesinlunchboxes.
Itlooksathowyoucanwork
withparentsandcarers,and
thewiderschoolcommunity,
toensurethatconsistent
foodandnutritionmessages
arecommunicated.
Allmealsprovidedtoschool
childrenmustcomplywith
thenutritionalstandardsfor
schoollunches.1Youcan
supportthesestandardsby
lookingathowtheycanbe
translatedacrosstohealthier
lunchboxesinyourschool.
Promotinghealthierlunchboxescan:
•encouragepupils’interestinmakinghealthierchoicesabout theirdiet;
•supporttheDepartmentofEducation’snutritionalstandardsfor schoollunches;
•encourageawholeschoolapproachtohealthyeating;
•increasethecontactbetweenschoolandhome;
•supportyourschool’scommunitylinks;
•giveparentsrelevantinformationonaspectsoffoodandhealth.
Why focus on healthier lunchboxes?
Alunchboxprovidesavaluablecontributiontowardsachild’snutritionalrequirementsforaday.AccordingtotheDepartmentofEducation’s2008schoolcensus,over127,000childreninNorthernIreland(42%ofpupilspresent)tookapackedlunchtoschool.2
Anall-islandstudy(2005)lookingatthenutritionalbalanceofover2,500schoolchildren’spackedlunchesfoundthat9outofevery10lunchboxes(92%)containedfoodshighinfatandsugar.3Almosthalfofallpackedlunches(47%)hadnoportionsoffruitandvegetableandovertwothirdsoflunchboxes(71%)didnotmeetthecompulsoryschoolmealsstandardsforNorthernIreland.
SimilarresearchconductedbytheFoodStandardsAgencyin2004alsoindicatedthatchildrenwhotakeapackedlunchtoschoolareeatingfartoomuchfat,saturatedfat,saltandsugarinonemeal.4Thesurveyalsorevealedthatunderafifthoflunchboxes(16%)didnotcontainanystarchyfoodsuchassandwiches,pastaorrice,andthatjustunderhalfthelunchboxessurveyed(48%)didnotcontainaportionoffruitorchoppedvegetables.Threeoutoffourlunchboxes(74%)alsofailedtomeetthenutritionalstandardssetin2001forEngland’sschoolsmeals.
Clearly,thereisaneedtomakelunchboxeshealthierandmoreappetisingtopupils.Butthisdoesnotmeanthattheyshouldmissoutonallthethingsthattheyenjoyeating.Varietyisthekeytoahealthierlunchbox.Itisallaboutgettingabalanceandagoodvarietyoffoodsoveraperiodoftime,forexampleaweek.Nosinglefoodcanprovidealltheessentialnutrientsthatthebodyneeds.
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What should be in a healthier lunch box?
Ahealthierlunchboxshouldbebasedontheeatwellplatefoodgroups(seewww.eatwell.gov.uk),
whichpromotebalanceandvarietyinthediet.Parentsandpupilsshouldtrytoincludesomething
fromeachoftheeatwellfoodgroupsinthelunchboxandensurethatthisincludesadrink.
Brightandcolourfulfoodswithdifferenttastesandtexturesshouldbeencouraged.Fruitand
vegetablesdothisnaturally.Ifthefoodlooksgoodthenthechancesarethatchildrenwillwantto
tryit.
Therearemanywaystokeepthelunchboxexciting,forexampleadoptacolourthemeforeach
day,takeinspirationfromholidaysordifferentcountriesandfoodsthatareinseasonorgrownin
theschoolorhomegarden.
Foods that a healthy lunch box should include
• Agoodportionofstarchyfood,forexamplewholemealrollorbread,wraps,pittapocket,
pastaorricesalad.
• Plentyoffruitandvegetables,forexampleanapple,satsuma,handfulofcherrytomatoesor
carrotsticks,mini-canoffruitchunksinnaturaljuiceorasmallboxofraisins.
• Adrinkofsemi-skimmedmilkoraportionofdairyfood,forexampleindividualcheeseportion
orpotofyogurt.
• Aportionofleanmeat,fish,eggsorbeans,forexampleham,chicken,beef,tuna,eggor
hummus.
• Adrink,forexampleunsweetenedfruitjuice,semi-skimmedmilkorwater.
Foods that should be limited
Remember,foodshighinfatandsugarshouldberestricted.Nutritionalstandardsforschools
lunchesdonotallowsweets,chocolateorsavourysnackssuchascrisps,fizzydrinksandother
highsugardrinkstobeservedatlunchtimes.1Anylunchboxguidanceorpolicyshouldreflect
this.Treatscanbeincludedatlunchtime;however,plainorlowersugarvarietiesshouldbe
encouraged.
Formoreinformationonwhattohaveinalunchboxrefertothe‘Schoolfood:topmarks’lunch
boxleaflet,Are you packing a healthy lunch?(availableatwww.publichealth.hscni.net).
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Case study
Oneschoolnutritionactiongroup(SNAG)ataprimaryschoolhasbuiltonitspreviouswork
ofinvolvingthewholeschoolcommunityinhealthissuesbysettingupahealthierlunchbox
challengeday.Thedayincludedamassivepicnicontheschoolfieldwithpupils,staff,parents
andinvitedguests,includingthelocalMP.Itwasalivelyandenjoyablesocialoccasion.
“We would definitely repeat this event, even though it was a lot of work and organisation.
Children, staff and parents have responded positively and everyone has done their bit to make
the day a success. Certainly the children are more knowledgeable now about healthier eating
and making food choices and I think the staff and parents are too.”Headteacher
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Are you packing a healthy lunch?
Step by step plan
Ashealthierlunchboxesareanimportantaspectoffoodanddrinkprovisioninyourschool,
agoodstartistothinkaboutthemaspartofyourwholeschoolapproach.Lunchboxissues
shouldbeconsideredbytheschoolcouncilorSNAG,particularlyinvolvingpupilsandparents.
Awholeschoolapproachallowsyouto:
•outlinetoparents,staffandpupilstheschool’sexpectationsofwhatconstitutesahealthier
lunchbox;
•helpparentsandpupilsputtogetheralunchboxwhichishealthierandrealistic;
•setupastandard,consistentapproachtotheissueoffoodinyourschool;
• promotethefactthatyourschooltakesthehealthofitspupilsseriously.
To do
Tofindoutwhatisrequiredyoucouldconductanauditoflunchboxcontentsbeforeyoustart
yourhealthierlunchboxpromotion.Theauditwillgiveyouabaselinefromwhichyoucanseeif
anychangesoccurasaresultofpromotinghealthierlunchboxes.
Askpupilswhohavealunchboxtowritedownthecontentsoftheirlunchboxforaday.
Analysetheresponses.Theresultswillhighlighttheleastandmostconsumedfoodgroups
andmightindicatethatyouneedtoplaceanemphasisonencouragingpupilstoeatmore
fruitandvegetablesorhaveadrinkatlunchtime.
Usetheinformationtoplanandundertakeyourhealthierlunchboxactivities.
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1. Getting started
Whenplanninghealthierlunchboxactivities,youneedtoensurethatyoucommunicatea
consistentmessagetoeveryoneinvolvedinyourschool.Byusingthe‘Schoolfood:topmarks’
lunchboxleafletandotherresourcesyouwillensurethatconsistenthealthyeatingmessages
aboutlunchboxescanbedeliveredthroughoutyourschool.
Pupilsliketobeinvolvedinmakingchoices,sowhynotencouragethemtohelp?Atschoolthis
mightinvolvemakinglunchboxitemsortryingnewfoodsaspartofahealthyeatingtopic.At
home,pupilscouldbeencouragedtohelpwiththefoodshoppingorhelpmakethecontentsof
theirlunchboxwhereverpossible.
You could try …
•Ahealthierlunchboxassembly.
•Ahealthierlunchboxbuffetforparents,childrenandlocalorganisations.
•Runningathemedayatschooltomotivateparentsandpupils.Youcouldtrya‘FruitFriday’,a
‘Redfoodday’,anon-sandwichdayora‘FunkyfoodFriday’.
•Implementingawholeschoolhealthdayorweek.Youcouldfocusonallaspectsofhealth,
includingphysicalactivity.
•Includingtoptipsforparentsabouthealthierlunchboxesinyourschoolnewsletter,website,
prospectusorbrochure.
•Seekingparents’andpupils’opinionsabouthealthierlunchboxes.Whatsupportwouldthey
like?Thiscouldbeidentifiedthroughasimplequestionnaireorataparents’evening.
•Explainingtoparentsandpupilswhatyouwanttoachieveandwhy.Forexample,youwant
toensurethatallthechildreninyourschoolarefitandhealthy.
•Stressingtheimportanceofabalancedandvarieddiet.Donotbancertainfooditems(unless
ongroundsofsafety,forexamplepeanutsandrisktoallergysufferers).Bepositiveandpromote
bestpractice.Oneapproachmightbetopromoteahealthierlunchboxchecklistforparents.
•Focusingonfoodsafety.Giveideasandtipsonhowtokeeplunchboxesanddrinksbottles
cleanandsafe.
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2. Raise awareness
Step by step plan
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Parentsplayanimportantandinfluentialroleindeterminingtheirchild’sfoodanddrink
choicesandpreferences.Informationtoparentsneedstobeconsistent,helpfulandrealistic.
Approacheswilldifferbetweenprimaryandpost-primaryschools,butultimatelythegoalisthe
same–topromoteahealthylifestyle.
Itisimportanttocommunicatetoparentsalloftheelementsthatcouldcontributetohealthier
lunchboxes.Alsoconsiderworkingwithhealthprofessionalssuchascommunitydietitians,
schoolnurses,andcommunitydentalteams.
Examples of good communication ideas
•Providinghealthierlunchboxinformationtoallparentsbysendingoutthe‘Schoolfood:top
marks’healthylunchboxleaflet,Are you packing a healthy lunch?
•Settingupadisplayinthemainschoolentranceorataparents’evening.
•Holdingaspecialhealthyeatinglunchboxdayorweek,invitingparentstoanassemblytowatch
childrentalkingabouthealthyeatingandlookingattheworktheyhavecompletedduringtheterm.
• AskingthePTAtopromotehealthasthethemeforthesummerfeteorthroughsocial
occasionsandeventsatschool.
• Askingparentswhatsupporttheywouldlike,sendingoutaquestionnairetogaugetheir
opinion.Whatcouldyourealisticallyoffer?
• Settingupaseriesoflunchboxworkshopsforparentsandpupilstopassontoptipsfor
lunchboxprovision.
• Includinghealthierlunchboxsuggestionsinyournewsletterorschoolwebsite.
3. Communicate with parents
Case study
Oneprimaryschoolcreatedanewsletterfeaturinglunchboxtoptipsforparents.Theresponse
waspositiveandresultedinthewholeschoolcommunitydevelopinghealthierfoodchoices.
‘Healthier lunch boxes has been the best. I learnt a lot about which are good foods to eat.’
Year5pupil
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Runningaworkshopprovidesparentsorcarerswithsomeideas,suggestionsandsupport.
Providingsupportwiththeopportunitytochattootherparentswillhelptoengageparentsin
addressingthehealthoftheirchild.
Top tips
•Berealistic.Findoutwhenparentsusuallyhavecontactwiththeschool.Canyoubuilda
workshoparoundaneventthatparentsattendalready?
•Givenotice.Letparentsknowaboutwhatyouintendtodo.Somemaywishtocomealong,
butneednoticetomakearrangementsforfamilyandworkcommitments.Publiciseand
promotetheevent.
•Supportthefamily.Dependingonyourschoolcircumstance,youcouldrunaworkshop
whereparentsandtheirchildrenworktogether.
•Keeptothepoint.Keeptheworkshopshortandsnappy.Makeyourpoint,allowdiscussion
andprovidesupport,forexamplehandoutthe‘Schoolfood:topmarks’healthylunchbox
leaflet, Are you packing a healthy lunch?
•Makeitinteractive.Makeyourworkshopmorefun(andthereforemorememorable)by
includingsomehands-onactivities,forexamplemakingasimplesandwichorsnack.
•Bepositive.Promotegoodchoices,balance,varietyandhealth,ratherthanconcentratingon
thenegative.
•Donotgiveup.Onlyafewparentsmayattendyourfirstworkshop–butthenewswillsoon
spread.Bepersistentandprovideanumberofopportunitiesforparentstoattend.
•Makelinks.Yourhealthpromotioncoordinator,communitydietitian,schoolnurseor
supermarketrepresentativemaybeabletohelp.Makecontactandfindout.
•Giveyourworkshopatheme.Forexample,‘Summerlunchboxtoptips’,‘Takingthechoreout
ofthelunchbox’or‘Makingahealthylunchforlessthan£1’.
•Promoteahealthypicnicaspartoftheschool’ssportsday.Inviteparentstojoinin,preparing
foodandtakingpartintheactivities.
•Holdadrop-inworkshopataschoolopenevening(forprospectivenewpupils’parents,for
example)orparents’evening.Runaseriesof10–15minuteworkshopsabouthealthylunchboxes.
4. Run a healthier lunch box workshop
Step by step plan
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Provisionforstoragecanaffectwhatparentsprovidetheirchildforlunch.Howlunchboxes
arestored,andwhethertheyarekeptcool,canbeanimportantfactorinthetypeoffoods
included.Forexample,sandwichfillingssuchaseggandcheesearesometimesnotincluded
asthereisconcernfromparentsthattheingredientswillbecome‘smelly’andtherefore
off-puttingtotheirchildatlunchtime.
TheFoodStandardsAgencyadvisesthatiffoodiscarefullypreparedonthedayof
consumption,therearerelativelyfewfoodswherelackofrefrigerationuntillunchtimecouldlead
tothegrowthofharmfulorganisms,althoughitisimportantthattheyarenotkeptinawarmplace.
Schoolsneedtoberealisticwhendealingwiththeissueofstoringlunchboxes,whilealso
acknowledgingrealconcernsaboutfoodsafetyandhygiene.Theschoolbuilding,location,
pupilrollandsizearejustafewfactorsthatwilldeterminethewaylunchboxesarestored.
Things to consider
•Howcanwestorelunchboxesawayfromsourcesofheat,forexamplepipes,radiatorsand
directsunlight?Wherearethecool,wellventilatedplaces,forexampleacooldark
cupboard?
•Howcanweencourageparentstouseinsulatedboxesor‘ice’packs?
•Whatisthebestwaytopromotetoplunchboxsafetytips?
•Couldwesupplyfridgesforclassrooms,perhapsfundedbythePTA?
5. Store healthier lunch boxes at school
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Step by step plan
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6. Encourage social eating
Animportantaspectofdevelopinggoodeatinghabitsistolookatwhereandhowchildreneat.
Dependingonyourschool’ssize,resourcesandnumberofpupilswhohavealunchbox,
variousorganisationalmethodsforeatingatlunchtimecanbeemployed.
To do
Createasociableeatingareainthesummerterm(someschoolsputupgazebosand
providebenchestoimprovechildren’ssocialandeatingskills).
Encouragebettereatingandsocialskillsbysittingolderandyoungerpupilstogether.
Olderpupilscanactasgoodrolemodelsforyoungerchildren.By’serving’waterormilk
theycanencourageyoungerchildrentoconsumeplentyoffluid.
Establishbenchesintheplaygroundtoencouragepupilstoeattogether.
Ifspaceisnotaproblem,seatchildrenwhohavealunchboxwiththosehavingaschool
meal.Thiswillallowfriendstosittogetherandpossiblyencouragechildrentotryaschool
dinner.
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Establishingactivitiesinyourschooltopromotehealthierlunchboxesmightbefunand
generateinterestfrompupils,parentsandthelocalcommunity.Butdoesitwork?Hasyour
hardworkpaidoff?Havelunchboxesimproved?Howwouldyouknow?
To do
Conductanauditoflunchboxcontentsbeforeyoustartyourplannedactivities.This
processwillgiveyouabaselinefromwhichyoucanseeifanychangesoccurasaresultof
youractivities.
Reviewtheactivitiesyoutriedout.Weretheyasuccess?Canyourunthemagain?
Collectevidenceofwhathappened,forexamplephotographsofaworkshoporcooking
session.
Setupadisplayofpupils’ideasforinterestinglunchboxes.
Talktopupils,parentsandthelocalcommunity.Hasthepromotiondrivehadanimpact?
Whatworkedwell?Wouldtheylikefurthersupport?
Askiftheschoollunchsupervisorshavenoticedanydifference.Whathavetheyseen?
Thinkaboutintroducinghealthierlunchboxguidelinesforallpupils.
Case study
OnehealthylunchboxinitiativewaspilotedandevaluatedinprimaryschoolsintheWestern
HealthandSocialCareTrustarea.Schoolsthatimplementedhealthylunchboxguidelinesand
incorporatedthisintoschoolpolicyreceivedanaward.Supportfromboardsofgovernors,staff,
pupilsandparentswasessentialtothesuccessofthescheme.
7. Evaluate success
Healthier lunch box checklist
Haveyouidentifiedthebenefitsofhealthierlunchboxesforyourschool?
Areyouclearaboutwhatyouwanttoachieve?
HaveyouinvolvedtheschoolcouncilorSNAG?
Haveyouaskedtheparentsandpupilswhattheywouldlike?Aretheyfullyinvolved?
Doyouknowwhatpupilshaveintheirlunchboxes?
Haveyouidentifiedanypupilswithallergies?
Istheadvicegivenonwhattoprovideinalunchboxconsistentwiththenutritional
standardsforschoollunches?
Haveyougotaplantopromotehealthierlunchboxestopupilsandparents?
Haveyouconsideredhealthandsafetyissues,includingstorageoflunchboxesinyourschool?
Havepupilsandparentsbeengiventheopportunitytofeedbacktheiropinionsaboutthe
healthierlunchboxdrive?
Haveyouplannedhowyouwillmonitorandevaluatetheimpactofyourhealthierlunchbox
drive?
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Integrating with other school food projects
Therearemanynaturallinksthatcanbemadefromhealthierlunchboxestootherfoodin
schoolprojects,dependingonyourschool.
Linkscouldinclude:
•encouragingtheuseofvendingmachines,whichcanhelpextendthevarietyoflunchbox
contents,andmakingarangeofhealthierfoodanddrinkavailable.Itemscouldincludepieces
offruit,yogurtsandsandwiches;
•promotinghealthiertuckshopsthatprovidehealthierfoodanddrinkssuitableforinlunch
boxes,forexamplefruitorfilledwraps;
•activelypromotingandencouragingwaterconsumption,includingputtingwaterasthedrink
inlunchboxes;
•developinghealthierfoodpreferencesandsociableeatinghabitsthroughtheenvironmentin
whichpupilseat.Promotehealthiereatinganddrinkingandencouragevarietybyusing
posterstocreatestimulatingdisplays.
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Curriculum links
Primary
Language and literacy
Usingastorybookasastimulus,forexampleThe dinosaur’s packed lunch,pupilscanwritea
storyaboutthe‘amazinglunchboxadventure’,writeinstructionsonhowtomakeasandwichor
anexoticfruitsalad,ordesignaleafletorposterpromotingahealthierlunchbox.
The arts
Pupilscandesignandmakecollagesorpostersoffoodssuitableforahealthierlunchboxsuch
asfruitsaladsorfruitandvegetablesnacks,sandwichesorsalads(pasta,rice)orbreadsnacks.
Setpupilsthechallengeofcreatingaschoollunchboxideasandrecipebook.Theycancollect
ideasandsuggestionsfrommembersofstaffandparents.Thisinformationcanbedeveloped
intoabookletforuseintheschoolnewsletterorwebsite.
The world around us
History–whattypeoffoodsdidchildreneatatschoolduringWorldWar2whenrationing
existed?Whatfoodscouldhavebeenincludedinalunchbox?
Geography–wheredoesfoodcomefrom?Usingthecontentsofasamplelunchbox(ortheir
own)childreninvestigatewhereintheworldtheirfoodmayhaveoriginated.Hasitbeenmade
intheUK?Wasitgrowninanothercountry?Plotthefoodonthemapoftheworld.
Post-primary
The arts
Design and technology–pupilscandevelopanewlunchboxsuitableforprimaryagedpupils.
Learning for life and work
Home economics–pupilscankeepafooddiary,loggingthetypesoffoodtheyeatforlunch.
Thesedatacanthenbeanalysedusingnutritionalanalysissoftwaretocalculatetheenergyand
nutrientsprovidedbytheirlunchboxorschoollunch.
Personal development–eitherwriteanewspaperarticleonhealthierlunchboxesordevelop
aninformationleafletforteenagersabouthowtoputtogetherahealthierlunchbox.
Forfurtheradviceandsuggestions,goto:
www.ccea.org.uk
www.nicurriculum.org.uk
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References
1. DepartmentofEducation.Nutritionalstandardsforschoollunches:aguidefor
implementation.Belfast:DE,2008.
2. DepartmentofEducation.October2008schoolmealcensus.Unpublished.
3. Safefood.Aninvestigationintothenutritionalbalanceofschoolchildren’spackedlunches:
Anall-Irelandstudy.Unpublished.
4. FoodStandardsAgency.Schoollunchboxsurvey.London:FSA,2004.
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Sources of further information
Thefollowinglistprovideslinkstofurther
resourcesandinformationthatmaysupport
youindevelopingyourhealthierlunch
boxes.
British Nutrition Foundation
www.nutrition.org.uk
Providesbackgroundinformationonfood
andnutrition,includinglunchboxes.
Food Standards Agency
www.eatwell.gov.uk
Isthewebsiteforconsumeradvice
onhealthyeating.Itprovides
backgroundinformationandadviceon
makingandpromotinghealthierlunch
boxesinschools,includingamenu
planner.
Safefood
www.safefood.eu
Anall-islandbodyresponsibleforthe
promotionoffoodsafety.Thiswebsite
providespracticaladviceandhandytips
onlunchboxes.
Department of Education
www.deni.gov.uk
Thissiteprovidesinformationonthe
nutritionalstandardsforschoollunches
whichcameintoeffecton1September
2007.
School Food Trust
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk
Providesinformationforschoolson
packedlunches.Includescase
studiesandatemplateforalunchbox
policy,supportinglettersforparentsand
informationonahealthierlunchbox.
ThisresourcewasoriginallydevelopedandproducedbytheHealthPromotionAgencyforNorthernIrelandaspartofthe‘Schoolfood:topmarks’programme.ItwasjointlyfundedbytheDepartmentofEducationandtheDepartmentofHealth,SocialServicesandPublicSafety.