WMAAA Healthy Snack Guidelines
As a result of the increase in health risks to school age children, the State of Michigan, as well as 41 other states, has mandated that all public schools implement a Wellness Policy by June of 2006. WMAAA, in its on-going efforts to provide the best education and learning environment for our students, has developed a healthy lifestyle task force. This task force is made up of staff, parents, community members, and medical professionals. Over the last 6 months, they have been working on addressing various issues with the development of wellness policies based on medical research, the Michigan Model for Comprehensive Health Education and the Federal Food Pyramid.
One of the results of this work has been the development of a student snack guideline. Healthy snacks are an important part of the learning process. Research shows that hungry students do not learn as effectively as students who have had a healthy breakfast and mid-morning snack. Research also shows that snacks of highly processed foods, and or high in sugar have a negative effect on learning. Therefore, we are asking our parents to help us in maintaining the best learning environment by selecting healthy snacks for their students.
Grains: whole grain rolls/ bread, bagels, crackers, pretzels, whole grain/low sugar cereal /granolas, rice cakes
Vegetables: cleaned bite-size veggies
Fruits: fresh or dried fruit, low sugar fruit cups
Dairy: cheese, yogurts or yogurt drinks, milk
Meat and Beans: Turkey jerky, hard boiled eggs, peanut butter, nuts, seeds,
Drinks: water or 100% fruit juice.
Please avoid:
Candy, baked goods and refined cereals high in sugar, sweetened fruit juices, and pop.
Healthy Snack Suggestions:
Fruit and fruit cups, Yogurt, Dried fruit, Nuts, String Cheese, Crackers, Pretzels, Veggies and dip, Bagels, Sunflower seeds, Cheerios/Other Low sugar cereal, Graham crackers, 100% juice and water, Cereal bars, Peanut butter
As a result of the increase in health risks to school age children, the State of Michigan, as well as 41 other states, has mandated that all public schools implement a Wellness Policy by June of 2006. WMAAA, in its on-going efforts to provide the best education and learning environment for our students, has developed a healthy lifestyle task force. This task force is made up of staff, parents, community members, and medical professionals. Over the last 6 months, they have been working on addressing various issues with the development of wellness policies based on medical research, the Michigan Model for Comprehensive Health Education and the Federal Food Pyramid.
One of the results of this work has been the development of a student snack guideline. Healthy snacks are an important part of the learning process. Research shows that hungry students do not learn as effectively as students who have had a healthy breakfast and mid-morning snack. Research also shows that snacks of highly processed foods, and or high in sugar have a negative effect on learning. Therefore, we are asking our parents to help us in maintaining the best learning environment by selecting healthy snacks for their students.
Grains: whole grain rolls/ bread, bagels, crackers, pretzels, whole grain/low sugar cereal /granolas, rice cakes
Vegetables: cleaned bite-size veggies
Fruits: fresh or dried fruit, low sugar fruit cups
Dairy: cheese, yogurts or yogurt drinks, milk
Meat and Beans: Turkey jerky, hard boiled eggs, peanut butter, nuts, seeds,
Drinks: water or 100% fruit juice.
Please avoid:
Candy, baked goods and refined cereals high in sugar, sweetened fruit juices, and pop.
Healthy Snack Suggestions:
Fruit and fruit cups, Yogurt, Dried fruit, Nuts, String Cheese, Crackers, Pretzels, Veggies and dip, Bagels, Sunflower seeds, Cheerios/Other Low sugar cereal, Graham crackers, 100% juice and water, Cereal bars, Peanut butter