Eating tips for school children (TTS-EN

February 16 2016, 02:20am

Posted by Tender Touch Schools, Enugu Nigeria.

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Noodles

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Children Eating

Summary

Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children, so offer nutritious as well as high energy snacks.
Let children help with food preparation and meal planning.
It is important to encourage breakfast, because a good night’s sleep followed by food in the morning helps your child stay active and concentrate at school.
Limit screen time and aim for some physical activity every day.

On this page:Things to remember Breakfast is important School lunches School lunches – foods to limit Treats and peer pressure After-school snacks Family mealtimes Drinks Exercise and activity Healthy tips for school-aged children Where to get help Things to remember

Breakfast is important

School lunches

Sandwiches or pita bread with cheese, lean meat, hummus and salad
Cheese slices, crackers with spread, and fresh or dried fruits
Washed and cut up raw vegetables or fresh fruits
Frozen water bottle or tetra pack of milk, particularly in hot weather.

School lunches – foods to limit

Processed meats such as salami, ham, pressed chicken and Strasbourg
Chips, sweet biscuits, and muesli bars and breakfast bars
Fruit bars and fruit straps
Cordials, juices and soft drinks.

Treats and peer pressure

Not enough nourishing foods are eaten.
Children become overweight or obese.
You’re spending a lot of money – it’s much cheaper to provide homemade snacks and lunches.
You’re missing a chance to teach your child about healthy eating.

After-school snacks

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A sandwich with a glass of milk
Cereal and fruit
A bowl of soup and toast.

Family mealtimes

Allow talk and sharing of daytime activities.
Avoid distractions such as the television, radio or the telephone.
Let your child decide when they are full – don’t argue about food.
Allow children to help with preparing meals and shopping.
Teach some simple nutrition facts such as ‘milk keeps your bones strong’.

Drinks

Children should be encouraged to drink plain water.
Sweet drinks such as cordials or fruit juice are not needed for a healthy diet and aren’t recommended.
A glass of milk (or a tub of yogurt or slice of cheese) equals a serve of dairy food. Three serves are needed each day for calcium.

Exercise and activity

Limit the amount of time spent watching television for the whole family.
Do something physical and active together.
Go and watch your child play sports.
Encourage daily activity, not just exercise.
Use the car less – that means everyone!

Healthy tips for school-aged children

Children need a variety of different foods each day.
Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children.
Make snacks nutritious, not just high in energy.
Plan to share meals as a family.
Enjoy talking and sharing the day’s happenings at mealtimes.
Let children tell you when they’re full.
Give your child lunch to take from home.
Let children help with food preparation and meal planning.
Encourage physical activities for the whole family.
Encourage children to drink plain water.

Where to get help

Your doctor
Dietitians Association of Australia Tel. 1800 812 942
School nurse
Parentline (24 hours) Tel. 132 289

Things to remember

Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children, so offer nutritious as well as high energy snacks.
Let children help with food preparation and meal planning.
It is important to encourage breakfast, because a good night’s sleep followed by food in the morning helps your child stay active and concentrate at school.
Limit screen time and aim for some physical activity every day.