FOOD GUIDELINES
At Angels Montessori School we want to focus on ensuring that parents give their children health food. High quality food ensures proper health and growth for your child. Please try to avoid junk food, excessive sugar and ready made meals unless is is an emergency.
SNACKS
AM & PM snacks are provided by the school daily and are included in the tuition fee. Our AM snack always consists of seasonal fruit with healthy crackers, while the PM snack includes sandwiches or vegetables with healthy dips. Parents are always welcome to send their own snacks from home. We are a nut-free school; any food that contains nuts is NOT allowed to ensure the safety of our students who are allergic to nuts.
SCHOOL LUNCH
HOME LUNCH
Packed lunches from home must be well-balanced and nutritious. Please exclude candy and other foods high in sugar with excessive quantities of additives, salt, and preservatives. Nutritious foods include whole-grain products, fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein. Foods like chips, nuts, whole grapes, and other items that may pose a choking hazard are not appropriate for young children. All food sent from home must be cut into small, manageable pieces.
PEANUT BUTTER
To ensure the safety and well-being of all students in our school, we have a strict policy against peanut butter. Even if your child is not personally affected by allergies or hyperactivity, peanut butter can be extremely dangerous for others and potentially even life-threatening. We recommend using alternative spreads like Pâté, Edamame and Feta Spread, or Hummus. Another option is to try making your own lentil spread, which can be both healthy and delicious. By working together to find safe and tasty alternatives, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.
NEW FOOD
We are glad to assist you in planning and implementing the introduction of new foods to your child. Each new food should be introduced at home for four days before sending it to school. This will allow you to check for allergies or other negative reactions, aside from dislike, such as vomiting. Please ensure that the caregiver is informed about the times and amounts of food to be given.
LUNCH CONTAINERS
Please ensure that your child's name is clearly marked on lunch boxes and interior containers that your child can open and close. If you want us to warm the food, make sure the containers are microwaveable. Better still, consider using a 'Keep Warm' Bento Lunch Box. We encourage avoiding plastic bags as we aim to minimize waste. Reusable containers that your child can open and close are the best choice
FOOD TO AVOID
At our school, we strongly encourage parents to provide nutritious lunches for their children. Research shows that making healthy food choices can have a positive impact on behavior, concentration, and overall health. It's important to avoid certain additives that can be harmful to children's health, both now and in the future. For instance, artificial colors like Red #40, sweeteners such as High Fructose Corn Syrup, and flavoring agents like Sodium Nitrate and MSG can potentially cause health problems later in life. By prioritizing healthy options, we can help set our children on a path toward lifelong wellness.
WHAT FOOD TO PACK
When packing your child's lunch, it's important to plan ahead and choose healthy, appealing options. One effective strategy is to create a monthly lunch menu. Set aside some time on a weekend to brainstorm ideas and jot down a list of meals to prepare. When selecting foods, aim for 100% juice and pay attention to presentation. If the food doesn't look appetizing, your child may be less likely to eat it. Consider cooking some fresh items the night before and packing them for lunch. Kids often prefer large pieces of food over mushy or mixed dishes. Try mixing and matching items to keep things interesting, but be sure to keep food groups separate. Soups can be a great choice in the winter months; they can be easily reheated and kids often enjoy a warm, homemade soup.
