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Healthy Eating at LFDCS

Integrating healthy eating throughout the school day is essential to nurturing the holistic well-being of your child. We are committed to upholding nutrition and health guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) Office for Food and Nutrition Programs.

We offer daily snack, breakfast, and lunch at no cost to families. For those who wish to send snacks and meals to school, please follow our Healthy Snack Guidelines and Healthy Meal and Snack Ideas.

In order to maintain a healthy eating environment, please follow the Foods Not Permitted Guideline; students will be asked to put those items away and return them home if they are brought to school.

Note of Caution: LFDCS is a peanut, tree nut, sesame allergy aware school. Please do not send items containing these ingredients to school with your child.

Foods Not Permitted Guideline

Peanuts, tree nuts, sesame and by-productsAllergy Awareness
Fast foodsHigh fat, sodium and often sugar
Fried FoodsHigh fat and sodium
Highly processed meals and snacks such as: Lunchables, chips, Doritos, Takis, Pringles, etcHigh fat and sodium
Donuts, pastries and other sugary desserts High fat and sugar
Soda, non-100% juice drinksHigh sugar
Energy and sports drinksHigh sugar and caffeine
MilkshakesHigh fat and sugar
Candy, candy bars, gumHigh sugar
Coffee, coffee beverages, tea, iced teaHigh caffeine and sugar

Healthy Snacking

A variety of well-portioned healthy snack options helps keep students satisfied during study and leisure time, while leaving room for their healthy meal when it’s time!

*Food labels on packaged items provide the information needed to make healthy choices.

Protein and Fiber are added benefits to any snack item that meets the guideline below

*Per ServingAmountNote
Calories200 calories or lessWatch Serving Sizes! Follow package label amounts*
Sodium200 mg or less
ADDED SugarsLess than 12 gFruit and dairy have natural Sugars and do not count toward ADDED Sugars.
Saturated Fat2 grams or less for a 200 calorie snack

Healthy Meal and Snack Ideas

WATCH SERVING SIZES!!

Fruits—High in Vitamins and Minerals
Fresh
Canned in water, Juice or light syrup
Frozen or dried/freeze-dried low or no added sugar
Vegetables—High in Vitamins and Minerals
Fresh, include salads with low fat dressing
Low or No Sodium canned
Frozen without added sugar or fats/sauces
Dairy—Good source of Protein and main source of Calcium (bone health)
Low fat cheese, string cheese, cottage cheese Can be a bit higher in sodium Milk—1% or skim, flavored (watch ADDED sugar)
Low fat or fat free Yogurt/Greek Yogurt (watch the ADDED sugar)
Yogurt parfait (low fat or fat free vanilla or plain yogurt, fresh/frozen unsweetened fruit, low fat granola)
Proteins—Building blocks, muscles and organs
Lower sodium eggs, meats, fish, poultry NOT deep fried
Grains—Good source of energy; try whole grain options (whole grain as first ingredient)
Read labels ESPECIALLY for sodium and ADDED Sugars
Rice, pasta, breads, cereals: watch sodium and sugar
Popcorn—look for lower in salt and fat
Pretzels and crackers, tortilla chips—low salt or unsalted, Tortilla Chips
Graham crackers, animal crackers, cereal bars
Beverages—Necessary Hydration
Caffeine Free NO sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium or other minerals added
WATER! Sparkling Water/Seltzer—plain, natural fruit flavors
100% juice (small portions)

Sources:

1. Food Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture; Added Sugars, Limit Using a Phased Approach; https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/nutrition-standards-proposed-rule-added-sugars

2. Food Nutrition Service, US Department of Agriculture; A Guide to Smart Snacks in School; https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-smart-snacks-school

3. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: CSPI’s Key Takeaways; Center for Science in the Public Interest; cspinet.org; https://www.cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/CSPI_Key_Takeaways_2020-2025_DGA.pdf

4. Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education Office for Food and Nutrition Programs; https://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/default.html