Introducing Qkr

Healthy eating = Healthy minds

The food your student eats at school can have a major impact on their ability to concentrate to learn. When schools and families work together to promote healthy eating habits, it can have a life-long positive impact on student’s growth, development and health.  Healthy eating not only helps us to have a healthy body but it also provides us with enough energy to have a healthy mind that is able to learn.

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What parents can do?

Breakfast is important

Nutritious food in the morning helps your student to stay active and concentrate at school. Be a positive role model and let your student see you eat a nutritious breakfast too. A bowl of low-sugar cereal with milk and fresh or stewed fruit is a great starter for the whole family.  Other ideas for a healthy breakfast include a fruit smoothie, porridge, or yoghurt and warm milk drink to start the day.

School lunches – foods and drinks to include

A packed lunch from home is a great way for your student to learn about healthy foods and drinks. Stick to fresh, unprocessed foods as much as possible, and water or a tetra pack of milk (frozen in the warmer months). For a healthy lunchbox, include something from each of the food groups such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and remember to add a drink of water.

School lunches – foods and drinks to limit

Highly processed, sugary, fatty and salty foods or drinks should only make up a very small part of your student’s diet. Avoid snacks (including chocolate), crisps and sweet drinks in school lunches.

Many supermarkets have products that seem conveniently packed and are marketed for school lunches, but sweet drinks, biscuits, fruit straps, chips and other products can be high in sugar, salt and fat.

What does your school do?

The school follows guidelines from the School Food Services Policy to provide healthy foods and a whole school approach to healthy eating across the school.  There are a lot of choices of both hot and cold foods at the canteen that are prepared fresh each day at a low cost price if you don’t bring your own lunch.  We encourage students to have their water bottles with them at all times and to drink water throughout the day.

We encourage students to not only bring their lunch but to make sure that they take some time at their lunch break to sit down and eat it.  This not only gives their mind a break from learning but it refreshes them and prepares them with enough energy to get through the rest of the days classes and activities.

For further helpful lunch box ideas search school lunches    www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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