Healthy Eating Policy

This policy has been developed in line with the HSE Healthy Eating Policy Toolkit for Primary Schools (2017, reviewed 2019) and Department of Education Circular 0013/2016 on the promotion of healthy lifestyles in primary schools. It supports a whole-school approach to wellbeing and healthy eating.

1. Introduction

Scoil Ide promotes a positive food culture where children learn about, choose, and enjoy balanced meals and snacks. This policy was developed in consultation with staff, parents/guardians, and pupils and will be communicated annually and during enrolment.

This policy seeks to provide direction for staff, parents/guardians, and pupils in most cases, but acknowledges that exceptional cases may arise which require consideration on a case-by-case basis. This policy was developed with the understanding that healthy eating is an emotive topic, and Scoil Ide appreciates the support of all stakeholders in implementation.

2. Aims

Promote a consistent, whole-school approach to healthy eating in conjunction with our wellbeing curriculum programme.
Support pupils’ physical health, growth, development and overall wellbeing.
Raise energy and concentration levels through balanced, nutritious lunches and regular hydration.
Promote healthy eating habits among all pupils and foster positive attitudes towards food and nutrition.
Develop pupils’ knowledge and attitudes to make informed food choices.
Support parents/guardians with clear and practical guidance and strengthen links between home and school in promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
Ensure the school environment is safe for children with food allergies and intolerances.
Reduce single-use plastics and packaging in lunch routines.
Support the implementation of the HSE healthy eating guidelines.

3. Breakfast

A nourishing breakfast is the best start to a child’s day giving him/her the energy needed to concentrate and learn. Research has shown that children benefit both nutritionally and behaviourally by eating breakfast. Please see the lunch and snack guidelines below for what constitutes a balanced meal.

Lunch and Snack Guidelines

Scoil Ide participates in the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme, and pupils are provided with a hot lunch daily. All lunches provided under this scheme meet the Healthy Ireland Nutrition Standards for School Meals and are prepared by an external lunch provider. Pupils and parents are encouraged to review menu choices regularly and select a balanced variety across the week. Pupils will not be permitted to swap lunches, and any uneaten food will be taken home by pupils. The external lunch providers will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

In addition to the hot meal provided, pupils should bring a healthy snack and drink to school daily. A balanced meal includes at least three of the four main food groups (fruit/vegetables, wholegrains, protein, and dairy). Portion sizes should be age-appropriate. See the HSE website for appropriate portion sizes and some sample daily menus for children.

Drinks: Children are encouraged to bring a reusable bottle of water each day. Staying hydrated supports concentration and well-being. Water is freely available throughout the school day.
Fruit and vegetables: Include at least one portion, prepared so it is easy to eat.
Wholemeal breads and cereals: Wholemeal or brown options encouraged (wraps, pittas, rolls, pasta, rice).
Protein: Meat, fish, eggs, beans or hummus.
Yoghurt/Cheese: Natural or low-sugar options preferred.
Packaging: Use reusable containers and bottles. Bring home uneaten food and wrappers.

Tip: “Low sugar” means less than 5g per 100g. “High sugar” means 15g or more per 100g.

5. Foods and Drinks Not Permitted

In line with the HSE guidelines,the food pyramid should be used as a guide for the types and amounts of food you need each day. Although the foods listed below may be enjoyed in moderation at home, they have no place in the school day. The Healthy Eating Policy seeks to reduce snacks which are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. These foods are regarded as “not needed for good health” in the food pyramid for people aged five and older. This is a non-exhaustive list.

Crisps and crisp-style snacks
Chocolate, cupcakes, biscuits, doughnuts or muffins*
Sweets, lollipops, jellies or winders
Fizzy drinks, energy drinks or sports drinks
Processed fruit juices
Cereal bars (high sugar)
Pot noodles or takeaway/hot deli foods
Chewing gum

Allergies: Where a class or year group has a diagnosed allergy (e.g. nuts), additional restrictions will apply and will be communicated to families.

*healthy home-baked treats are an exception.

6. Treats

From Home: Pupils’ snacks from home should remain balanced and healthy throughout the week.

At School: This policy seeks to eliminate the use of food rewards and increase the use of non-food rewards. Treats may be given occasionally at the teacher’s discretion for example; class baking, termly treats.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Students

Bring and eat their own snack and do not share food or drink (for allergy safety).
Bring home uneaten food and packaging so families can see what was eaten.
Pupils should not share food utensils or drink containers (for health and hygiene purposes).
Pupils should eat their food at their own table.

Parents and Guardians

Provide a drink (water), balanced snacks, and avoid prohibited items.
Support sustainability by using reusable containers,cutlery and bottles.
Inform the school of allergies or dietary needs.

Staff and School

Provide adequate time and a calm environment for eating.
Model positive habits and reinforce healthy eating messages consistently.
Integrate healthy eating into SPHE, Science, and Wellbeing lessons.

8. Curriculum and Whole-School Links

Wellbeing/STEM curriculum specifications: food, nutrition, hygiene, and media literacy about food.
School Meals Provider: adheres to national nutrition standards.

9. Implementation

If the policy is not followed, the school will focus on education, encouragement, and positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Healthy choices will be promoted consistently, and families will be supported with resources and information where needed. If a pupil brings prohibited items, they may be asked to bring them home at the end of the school day and reminded of the Healthy Eating Policy. Persistent issues will prompt communication with parents/guardians to support compliance. No child will go without food. School staff will consistently implement the Healthy Eating Policy to ensure that it is adhered to. Staff will always use positive, neutral, and inclusive language around food to support children in developing a healthy relationship with eating.

10. Ratification and Communication

This Healthy Eating Policy was ratified by the Board of Management on June 23rd 2026, following consultation with staff, pupils and parents/guardians. The policy will be shared via the school website, enrolment packs, and annual reminders. The policy has also been made available to school personnel.

11. Monitoring and Review

The implementation of this Healthy Eating Policy will be monitored by the Principal, staff and Board of Management. Feedback from staff, pupils and parents/guardians will be invited before each review. It will be reviewed and evaluated at regular intervals, including through formal and informal feedback. The policy will be revised as necessary in the light of such review and evaluation.

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Further Information

The following advice is from Safefood with further information accessible at https://www.safefood.net/healthy-eating

Good food habits set early in childhood can last a lifetime.

We all want to improve our children’s wellbeing and help them enjoy learning. Sending them to school with a healthy lunch is a good way to start.

A balanced lunchbox will help ensure children have the energy they need to learn and play. If your child is taller or more active, they may need to eat more. Go by their appetite when deciding how much food to offer them.

How can you make a healthy lunchbox more fun?

Put different things in every day to make lunchtime more fun.
Get your child involved in planning and choosing what they want to eat.
Let them pick a different colour of fruit each day.
Keep the crunch! To stop a sandwich going soggy, arrange the filling in layers with salad in the middle.
Let them choose a brightly coloured drink bottle and lunchbox or decorate a plain lunchbox with stickers.
Encourage your child to try out new food at home before adding them to a lunchbox.

A healthy lunchbox includes at least one serving from each food group

Vegetables, salad and fruit

Use carrot or celery sticks with cheese for a more savoury snack.

Wholemeal cereals and breads, potatoes, pasta and rice

Vary the types of bread you give your kids. It keeps well in the freezer so stock up in advance on pitta bread, bagels, wholemeal rolls… whatever they love.
Including wholegrain varieties of breads and cereals will support gut health and prevent constipation.

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts

Lean cuts of meat such as chicken breast are lower in salt than processed meats such as ham and bacon.
Choose lean meat more often than processed meat.

Milk, yoghurt and cheese

Dairy products are especially important in the diets of children and teenagers.
They provide calcium to support growing bones and teeth.
Low-fat dairy products are suitable for children over two years of age.

Mix and match

Choose one option from each of the categories below.

Mid-morning snack

Carrot sticks with cream cheese
Half a bagel with nut butter (if school allows) and banana
Breadsticks with cream cheese
Yoghurt and a pear
Crackers with cheese
Yoghurt and apple
2 rice cakes with 2 cheese triangles
Cucumber sticks with hummus

Lunch ( if not participating in the Hot Meals Scheme)

Chicken salad roll
Tuna pasta salad
Lentil soup in a flask
Pasta salad with tomatoes and grated cheese
Egg salad sandwich
Turkey salad wrap
Cold rice and chickpea salad (tinned chickpeas drained and rinsed with chopped tomato and peppers)
Ham, lettuce and tomato sandwich

Fruit

10 Grapes
2 Mandarins
1 Apple
1 Banana
2 Kiwis
1 Pear
1 Orange
10 Blueberries

Suitable Drinks for Children

Plain water and milk are the most suitable drinks for children. Read more about the best drinks for every day, drinks that should only be consumed occasionally, and drinks to avoid.

Picky or fussy eating is something most parents face at some point. It’s usually just a phase, but it can be worrying for parents.

Follow these tips to help your child develop better eating habits:

Encourage your child to touch, smell and taste food
Lead by example and eat with them
Praise your child when they eat well
Stay calm and positive
Give smaller portions at first. If they finish, offer them more
Don’t force feed – your child may develop a negative association with a food
Don’t bribe or pressure
Don’t give children drinks or snacks close to mealtimes
Turn off the television or any other distractions
Keep offering. It can take as many as 10 times for a child to try a food and like it

Remember, we don’t all like every food. To make sure they are not missing out on important food groups, here are some alternatives you can give your child:

If your child refuses vegetables:

Offer vegetable sticks as snacks
Blend them up in soups and meals
Mash with potatoes – carrots and parsnips work well
Many children prefer fruit, so give an extra piece of fruit instead

If your child refuses to drink milk:

Add cheese to mashed potato or pasta dishes
Add milk to mashed potato and sauces
Offer yoghurt or cheese as a snack
Try milk-based desserts like custard or rice pudding

If your child refuses meat:

Offer eggs – boiled, poached or scrambled!
Use baked beans or try peas and lentils
Serve meat with a sauce or gravy
Try casseroles using pulses like lentils and chickpeas instead of meat

You can access the following podcast “Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids” from the HSE via this link.

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-qjhde-16ae1ae

In this episode, we discuss Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids and much more.

With school routines starting again and parents getting to grips with what to put into those lunchboxes and what to avoid. Marian McBride, Dietetic Lead, HSE Health & Wellbeing discusses the importance of a balanced diet to ensure children develop a healthy relationship with food.

With tips on how to introduce healthier foods into children’s daily diets. Marian gives ideas on what to include, recognising that parents are busy, she explains that it’s about frequency and taking those different opportunities to introduce healthier options. For more information and ideas visit: https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/healthy-eating

If you would like to get in touch with the podcast or join the HSE Health and Wellbeing mailing list, email Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie.