In an effort to promote healthful eating habits and to realign our school’s practices to adhere to new state and district Wellness Policies, Cumberland’s Wellness Committee has created this handout to assist you with selecting snack items appropriate for classroom celebrations.
Individual dairy and whole-grain food portions must be:
- No more than 175 calories
- No more than 35% total calories from fat (i.e., calories per serving 130, calories from fat 35. 35 divided by 130 equals 26.9% total calories from fat per serving. )
- No more than 35% total weight from sugar (i.e., 29g per serving size, 4g sugars per serving. 4 divided by 29 equals 13.7% total weight from sugar per serving. )
Any food item not individually packaged must be brought to the classroom in commercial packaging or its natural state (fruits, vegetables) before being prepared in the classroom to protect students and others in our community with food allergies.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
- All fresh fruits and vegetables
- Commercially packaged watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, apple fruit bites, mango, carrot sticks, celery sticks, cherry and grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas, and snow peas.
- Fruit leathers or dried fruit made without added sugar. Consider dried mango or pineapple in addition to raisins for a child-pleasing snack.
- Freeze Dried Fruit with flavors including strawberry, raspberry, banana, and pineapple.
- Applesauce and other fruit sauces or blends prepared without added sugar.
- Commercially prepared fruit smoothies
NUTS AND SEEDS:
(Important: Please check with your child’s teacher for possible food allergies)
- Nuts and seeds. Popular choices include sunflower seeds pumpkin seeds and pistachios.
- Nut Butters. Peanut butter is a popular choice. Consider trying other spreads such as cashew and almond butter.
DAIRY:
- Low fat dairy items such as mozzarella or Colby jack cheese sticks
- Yogurt drinks.
FROZEN TREATS:
There are several acceptable frozen all fruit bars: Dreyer’s Real Fruit Bars, Breyer’s Real Fruit Bars, Sugar Free/Fat Free Popsicles, Fat Free Fudgsicles, Jules Organic Sorbet Bars, Natural Choice Organic Fruit Bars and 365 Frozen Fruit Bars.
WHOLE GRAINS: Here is a list of some ideas for recommended snacks in the whole grains and sweet treats categories. Please be aware that they only meet the new school nutrition guidelines if portion sizes are the same as indicated on the packaging.
Salty and Savory Foods:
- Low fat popcorn.
- Whole grain pretzels are widely available.
- Rice cakes (lightly salted, cheese or apple cinnamon are popular flavors.)
- Baked corn or tortilla chips are healthy alternatives to regular chips. Pair this with hummus and/or salsa for a popular snack, but watch the portion sizes to stay within nutritional guidelines.
- Pirate’s Booty and Pirate’s Cannon Balls are also a good choice. (The Veggie Booty is higher in fat content and does not meet our new guidelines.)
- Whole grain breads, mini whole wheat bagels and mini whole wheat pita with a topping such as peanut butter are tasty snacks.
- Whole grain breadsticks are also fun to dip into things.
- Reduced-fat Wheat Thins, Ritz or Cheez-Its
- Ritz Bits
- Goldfish crackers
Sweet Treats:
If you want to include some sweet baked goods, please make sure they are commercially prepared and adhere to the new guidelines for sugar and fat content. Some suggestions include:
- Low fat baked goods.
- Graham crackers
- Individually and commercially packaged treats:
- Granola bars and similar. 365 Brand, Clif Z bars and Quaker Low Fat granola bars (widely available).
- Teddy Grahams
- Honey Maid Grahams Cinnamon Sticks
- Fig Newtons
- Snackwells Crème Sandwich Cookies
- Nilla Wafers
- Barnum Animal Crackers
BEVERAGES:
- Water is a great choice and there are so many types available in small, child-friendly bottles.
- 100% fruit juice (without added sugar) is a good choice as well.
- Low-fat or nonfat plain or chocolate milk
- Sparkling water can be a festive alternative for a class party, or prepare a "punch" with 100% fruit juice and sparkling water.