Healthy food develops Healthy Learners

Children in primary grades in District 16 have been introduced to a new food and nutrition regulation that contributes to their health and well being.

"Students have healthy food choices available to them that follow Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating," says Darlene MacDonald, Healthy Learners nurse for School District 16.

This includes food served in cafeterias, canteens, vending machines, hot lunch, food supplement, breakfast and snack programs. The regulation also states that other food-related activities in schools such as fundraising will also have to follow Canada’s Food Guide.

MacDonald says food choices high in fat and sugar will be offered on a limited basis. She says processed meat such as hot dogs shall only be offered a maximum of once a week and deep fried vegetables such as French fries shall only be offered once every two weeks.

She says the regulation was developed by the District’s Health Advisory Committee to promote the development of healthy eating habits and provide nutrition education through the school health curriculum and classroom activities.

Research conducted by Ron Coleman in 2001 concluded New Brunswick had the highest rate of obesity and overweight people in Canada and statistics from work by Tremblay & Whilms in 2000 indicated that childhood obesity has tripled in children (ages 7-13) over the last 15 years.

"We wanted to address this shocking statistic by providing students with education to help them develop healthy lifestyles, and decrease their risk of developing a chronic illness."

As a parent of three school aged children and president of the Saint Andrews Elementary Home and School Association, Alana Hansen welcomes this new regulation and believes other parents will embrace it.

"I really like the idea of having healthy food choices in the schools. I believe this change will have an impact in helping decrease the rate of childhood obesity and its related diseases."

She says her own children are finding a difference, as their favourite drink of chocolate milk is limited however she feels children will adapt quite quickly.

Teachers are also excited about the new regulation.

"I believe this is an exciting and welcoming initiative that will have the full support of district teachers and cafeteria workers," says Beth McCarthy, kindergarten teacher at Ian Baillie Primary School.

"In my 22 years of teaching, I have seen the contents of a child’s lunch change dramatically."

She says she now sees more ‘grab and go’ processed foods that are high in fat and salt rather than wholesome homemade lunches.

"I have also seen a trend of more overweight children in the last number of years."

Miramichi paediatrician, Dr. Michael Dickinson concurs with McCarthy’s observation.

"I see patients with weight related problems on a daily basis in my practice."

He says unhealthy eating patterns in children have created an increase in back and feet problems, breathing problems, and diabetes.

"I support the District’s new Food and Nutrition regulation and look forward to it being implemented in the middle and high schools within the next three years."

He says healthy eating is an important part of learning and it only makes sense that school cafeterias provide food in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide.

"I believe School District 16 is progressive in its new regulation however the schools alone cannot be accountable for improving student’s eating behaviour."

He says more effort needs be made between parents, health partners, educators, government and communities to ensure that healthy eating and active living become part of daily routines.

Hansen believes this will happen.

"Parents only want what’s best for their children and once they realise the seriousness of the problem they will want to get involved and generate ideas that will make this new regulation succeed."

District 16 Food and Nutrition Regulation Recommendations

· All main meals served will include a variety of foods from the four food groups of Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating including grain products, vegetables and fruits, milk products, meats and alternates.

· Foods will be offered in quantities that are in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating and will meet the established nutrient needs of the students.

· Whole grain and enriched grain products will be offered

· Deep-fried vegetables such as onion rings, hash browns, French fries and potato chips shall only be offered once every two weeks.

· Low fat milk products that have a higher content of sugar such as chocolate milk, puddings, frozen yoghurt, ice milk shall not be offered more than twice per week.

· All visible fat from meat will be removed before cooking

· Meat will be cooked with minimal or no fat (grilled, baked, sautéed, roasted, steamed or boiled)

· Processed meats (i.e. ham, salami, pepperoni, bologna, sausages, wieners, etc.) shall be offered a maximum of once a week.

· Meats and alternates that have been deep-fried (i.e. chicken burgers, chicken nuggets etc.) are to be offered no more than once a week.

· As beverages, only serve low fat milk, 100% fruit juice and water.

· Desserts high in fat (more than 30% calories from fat) and/or sugar such as pastry, doughnuts, cakes, cookies, turnovers, etc… should not be offered more than once a week.

· Vending machines shall only contain nutritious food items that appear on Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

· Students selling food items for school fundraising shall sell items that appear on Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

· Empty calorie food items such as candy, deep-fried snacks (chips, tortillas, cheesies, etc…), carbonated beverages, gelatine desserts, etc… should only be offered once every two weeks.

For more information about School District 16’s Food and Nutritional Policy, please contact Darlene MacDonald, District 16 Healthy Learners Nurse at 778-6888.