School Policies
Healthy Classroom Celebrations
Birthday parties and holiday celebrations provide a great opportunity for schools to make healthful eating fun and exciting for students. Schools can promote a positive learning environment by shifting the celebration from the food to the child. Celebrations can include a variety of activities, games and crafts and foods the taste good and are nutritious. An overall strategy to consider would be to have fewer parties and celebrate birthdays on a monthly basis.
Healthy Food Ideas:
Low-fat or nonfat plain or flavored milk, 100% juice, water, flavored/sparkling water(without added sugars or sweeteners), sparkling punch
Fruit smoothies
Fresh fruit assortment, fruit and cheese kabobs, fruit salad
Vegetable trays with low fat dip, celery and carrots with peanut butter and raisins
Whole-grain crackers with cheese cubes, string cheese or hummus
Waffles or pancakes topped with fruit
Pretzels, popcorn, rice cakes, bread sticks, graham crackers and animal crackers
Angel food cake, plain or topped with fruit and low-fat whipped topping
Bagel slices with peanut butter or jam, fruit or grain muffin, whole wheat
English muffin, hot pretzels
Pizza with low-fat toppings, pizza dippers with marinara sauce
Ham, cheese or turkey sandwiches or wraps
Low-fat pudding, low-fat yogurt, yogurt topped with cereal, granola or crushed graham crackers
Quesadilla or bean burrito with salsa
Low-fat breakfast or granola bars
Low-fat tortilla chips with salsa or bean dip
Trail/cereal mix (whole grain, low-sugar cereals mixed with dried fruit or pretzels, etc.)
Nuts and seeds
There is nothing wrong with an occasional treat but unhealthy food and beverage choices have become the norm rather than the exception. Healthy foods chosen as part of the festivities can provide an opportunity to reinforce nutrition lessons.