Supporting the Healthy School Environment

Healthy Menu Planning

Student meals have been planned with the USDA approved Nutrient Based Menu Planning approach for school lunch.  Every student meal choice might consist of at least the equivalent of two ounces of meat or meat substitute, one serving of bread or grain equivalent, two servings of fruits and vegetables, and a serving of milk.  A variety of fruits, vegetables, enriched or whole grain bread and grain foods, and low fat milk choices will be available to encourage students to select a nutritionally balanced meal.

Under the directives of the federal Child Nutrition Program, our resident dietitian will oversee meal-planning efforts in the district to assure meals meet the standards established by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Healthy School Meal Initiative standards. Planned lunch menus will supply at least one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calories, protein, Vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron and will supply no more than 30% calories from fat and no more than 10% calories from saturated fat (averaged over one week).  To assure compliance, menus will be nutritionally analyzed and reviewed by the State agency on a periodic basis.  A variety of age-appropriate, child-friendly meals that students will enjoy will be offered to maximize participation in the national school lunch program as well as the number of students who will benefit from the nutritional value of the meals served in the cafeterias. 

Balanced Choices

Balanced Choices is Chartwells’ comprehensive approach to wellness.  A team of our registered dietitians performed an exhaustive analysis on what other state agencies, school districts, and industry professionals are doing.  The result is a branding concept of “better for you” snacks, beverages, and meals that meet specific nutritional criteria, easily identified with signage, labels, and markers.

Snack Criteria

No more than 35% calories from fat

No more than 10% calories from saturated fat

No more than 35% sugar by weight (excluding fruits and vegetables).

No more than 480 mg sodium

No more than 200 calories

Beverage Criteria

100% fruit and vegetable juice (limited to 12 oz portion size)

Fat free and 1% milk products (8 – 16 oz portion size)

Water and flavored water without added sugar (unlimited portion size)

Caffeine free (except for flavored milk)

Meals

Although all meals available (analyzed over a one week period) must meet specific nutritional standards, Balanced Choices meals were created to reflect one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) when offered as a daily option.

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