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"The eating habits of students are greatly influenced by the food available in the school environment. Food eaten at school contributes substantially to the students’ daily nutrient intake and also has a considerable influence in the development of their eating habits, growth patterns and energy levels”
Significant changes to school canteen/tuckshop menus are currently being implemented in Australia to reduce the level of childhood obesity. Initiated by the NSW Government in 2004 with their Fresh Tastes @ School Healthy School Canteen Strategy, a number of Australian states are now implementing healthy canteen programs based on the NSW model.
NSW, QLD, VIC and WA now all follow a three-tiered "traffic light" system for menu planning.
Green – "Fill the Menu & Have Plenty"
These foods should be encouraged and promoted to students as the best menu choices. They should provide a major part of the daily canteen menu and include: breads, cereals, rice, pasta and noodles; vegetables; fruit; reduced-fat milk, yoghurt and cheese; lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and legumes.
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Amber – "Select Carefully"
These foods should be selected carefully and should not dominate the menu at the expense of healthier items. Large serving sizes should be avoided and their frequency of sale should be limited. Amber foods have some nutritional value but they also have moderate amounts of saturated fat and/or sugar and/or salt. In large serves that can contribute excess energy. They include full fat dairy foods, some savoury commercial products, processed meats, fats & oils, some snack food bars & biscuits, some savoury snacks, some cakes and muffins, some ice creams and ice blocks, some small serves of sports waters and fruit drinks.
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Red – "Serve Occasionally" (only two days a term)
Red foods lack nutritional value and are high in saturated fat and/or sugar and/or salt. They can contribute excess energy. Red foods should only be served occasionally (twice per term) in NSW, QLD and VIC and not at all in WA schools. Red sugar-sweetened drinks and ices are totally banned in NSW schools. Red foods include all confectionery, most sugar-sweetened drinks, fried foods, some savoury commercial products such as pies and frankfurts, some snac
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