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, which is included in the tuition. Our AM snack always consist of seasonal fruit with healthy crackers. The PM snack always consists of 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 which contains nuts is NOT allowed to make sure our students that are allergic to nuts are safe.
SCHOOL LUNCH
HOME LUNCH
Packed lunch from home must be well balanced and nutritious. Exclude candy and other highly sugar-based foods with excessive quantities of additives, salt, and preservatives. Nutritious foods include whole grain products, fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein. Chips, nuts, whole grapes, and other food that may cause choking hazard are not appropriate for young children. All food sent from home must be cut into small 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 help plan and implement the introduction of new foods to your child. Each new food should be given at home for four days prior to sending it to school. This will allow you to check for allergies or other negative reactions, other than dislike, such as vomiting. Make sure the care provider is made aware of the times and the amounts of food to be given.
LUNCH CONTAINERS
Please make sure your child’s name is clearly marked on lunch boxes and interior containers—which your child should be able to open and close. If you want us to warm the food make sure the containers are microwaveable. Better still get a " Keep Warm " Bento Lunch Box. Avoid plastic bags! We like to be trash-free! Reusable containers that your child can open and close is the best.
FOOD TO AVOID
At our school, we encourage parents to provide nutritious lunches for their children. Research shows that 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 towards 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.
