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-products | Allergy Awareness |
| Fast foods | High fat, sodium and often sugar |
| Fried Foods | High fat and sodium |
| Highly processed meals and snacks such as: Lunchables, chips, Doritos, Takis, Pringles, etc | High fat and sodium |
| Donuts, pastries and other sugary desserts | High fat and sugar |
| Soda, non-100% juice drinks | High sugar |
| Energy and sports drinks | High sugar and caffeine |
| Milkshakes | High fat and sugar |
| Candy, candy bars, gum | High sugar |
| Coffee, coffee beverages, tea, iced tea | High 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 Serving | Amount | Note |
| Calories | 200 calories or less | Watch Serving Sizes! Follow package label amounts* |
| Sodium | 200 mg or less | |
| ADDED Sugars | Less than 12 g | Fruit and dairy have natural Sugars and do not count toward ADDED Sugars. |
| Saturated Fat | 2 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