|
Real Choice Vending for Schools
Real Choice vending can contribute to teaching pupils what constitutes
a balanced diet, as well as offering the convenience vending requires
- and will probably taste better too! A combination of real food
vended options as well as nutritionally appropriate packaged snack
items not only extends choice for pupils but also illustrates the
fact that snacks do not always have to be pre packaged and processed!
Nutritional criteria is only one aspect of the selection criteria
to consider when determining the overall ‘healthfulness’
of the vending offering. Other criteria to consider are dental health
concerns (sugar, acidity and stickiness of foods and drinks) and
artificial additives, in particular colourings, sweeteners and caffeine.
Real Choice Vending: Recommended products
We aim to keep this list updated to reflect new machine developments
that are suitable for real school vending. Use this list as a starter
for discussion with your school working group.
Real Choice school drinks vending
With so many products to choose from, price can be a part of the
selection process. Many products cost more simply because of the
packaging, not what’s within! Keep it real and simple and
stick to basic drinks with simpler packaging.
- Semi skimmed fresh milk
- Fresh flavoured milk (semi-skimmed)
- Pure fruit juices
- Fruit smoothies
- Drinking yogurt (low fat)
- Plain, still or sparkling water
Real Choice school food vending
This food list is not exhaustive but gives a framework for pupil/staff/caterer
consultation. Drinks from the list above can be included within
food vending machines to provide a one-stop-shop for pupils.
- Whole or pre-prepared fresh fruit
- Fruit salads
- Filled rolls*
- Sandwiches*
- Baguettes*
- Wraps
- Bread sticks and crudités
- Crackers and cheese
- Salads
- Pasta mixes
- Low fat yogurts
- Low fat Fromage frais
*a selection of bread types and styles gives variety, aim for
more wholegrain bread to be added to the menu.
The above list has been successfully tested in schools, although
it is recognised that there are many more foods that could be suitable
real choices for school vending. Some ideas to try are given below.
NB As a general principle HET recommends avoiding pastry products
for snack options, due to their inevitable fat content -try bread
instead!
We would be pleased to receive your feedback on any successes or
flops either from this list or from your own ideas. We’ll
continue to add to the tried and tested list as we have more data.
Please refer to www.healthedtrust.com for more updates.
- Try mixes of white and wholemeal double deckers as a gradual
introduction to ‘brown coloured’ bread
- Home-baked tea breads and fruit buns- with lower sugar levels
and extra fruit for sweetness
- Home-baked cakes such as rock buns, gingerbread and fruit cake
- Oatcakes with cheese
- Oatcakes with berries
- Maltloaf
- Breakfast cereals, with semi-skimmed milk
- Pizza slices (plain bases, include vegetables within toppings)
Real Choice school snack vending
HET is currently liaising with food manufacturers, schools and
vending operators to evaluate suitability of named snack products
for healthful school vending. A Real Choice approved list of pre-
prepared, packaged snack items is slowly being established and HET
will be able to advise schools on their suggested product selections
to ensure they meet the Government nutritional recommendations for
school food provision. This will provide schools with convenient
alternatives to confectionary and high fat/salt savoury snacks,
which will be banned from schools as from September 2006. The current
school academic year therefore provides some time to test a number
of different products with pupils, ideally alongside food vending.
Some snack ideas to consider include:
- Dried fruit
- 100% fruit bars
- Vegetable crisps
- Apple chips
- Dried fruit & nuts mixes
|
|
The
Health Education Trust (HET) is the UK registered charity, formed
to promote the development of health education for young people.
Food
For Life is run in partnership with The Soil Association and
sponsored by Organix Brands.
SENSE
is the original network of professional nutrition consultants who
work on a self employed basis.
SHEU
offers a range of survey, research and evaluation services to all
those concerned with the health and social development of young
people.
The
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) is a group of specialists
who have carried out many of the studies on salt and its effects
on health.
Food
Standards Agency is an independent food safety watchdog.
The
Food Commission is the UK's leading consumer watchdog on food
issues.
The
National Governors' Council is working with the Foods Standards
Agency, is keen to encourage governing bodies to take the lead in
promoting healthy food in schools.
|
