Dear Parent/Guardian: Research clearly demonstrates that good nutrition is linked to better behavior and academic performance. To promote the best possible learning environment for children, schools must also provide an environment that supports healthy behaviors.
Almost 20% of children are overweight. This is triple the amount from the 1970’s. Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are just behind smoking as the leading causes of death per year in the United States, and the number of deaths related to poor diet and physical inactivity is increasing.
On August 16, 2007, the Pottstown Board of School Directors adopted the Wellness Policy. This policy requires that all foods and beverages sold at the Pottstown School District during school hours will comply with the newly implemented nutrition standards set forth by the Department of Education, Division of Child Nutrition. The policy also addresses appropriate food items for classroom celebrations and fundraising activities.
Recommendations for Healthy Classroom Snacks
| Beverages: 100% fruit juices 100% juice, fruit smoothies Milk, non-fat or low-fat, plain or flavored Approved flavored or plain water Low-Fat Grain Foods: Pretzels Animal crackers Graham crackers Wheat crackers Whole wheat English muffins Rice cakes or mini rice cakes, flavored Baked tortilla chips with salsa or cheese sauce Fruit or grain muffin (low-fat) Bagel (half) Fig bars Vanilla wafers Mini bagel breadsticks Soft pretzels Low-fat granola bars Fig Newtons | Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Fresh seasonal fruit Fresh vegetables with low fat dip or salad dressing Additional Treats: 100% fruit snacks Fruit bars Frozen low-fat yogurt Frozen fruit bars Low-fat pudding, plain or as a parfait Fat-free popcorn Beef jerky – 95% fat free Peanut and crackers Low-fat string cheese Low-fat cookies Nabisco 100 calorie snacks Fruit, nut, and/or grain trail mixes Baked potato chips Low-fat Blue Bunny ice cream Some Little Debbie snacks (low-fat, sugar) |
Nutritional Guidelines for Snacks:
Item will provide less than 250 calories per serving
Less than 35% of calories from total fat (excluding nuts, seeds, nut butters, and reduced fat cheeses)
Less than 10% of calories from saturated fat (excluding reduced fat cheeses)
Less than 35% sugar by weight (excluding naturally occurring sugars and low-fat yogurts) and added sugar will not be listed as the first ingredient
We ask your cooperation in helping us send a consistent message of healthy lifestyle choices to our young people.