1. School Health
  2. Healthy Eating
  3. Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

Educating young people about healthy eating is important to help them develop skills and knowledge to make healthier choices.

Schools can play an important role in shaping children’s eating habits. Schools can support children to learn valuable nutrition knowledge, practice key food and life skills (e.g., cooking, and gardening), and develop a healthy relationship with food.

Across Ontario, there is a significant grade difference in some concerning behaviours among students. As students get older, they are less likely to eat an evening meal with their parent(s), self-rate their physical health as fair/poor, become preoccupied with body weight, and increasingly binge on food (OSDUHS, 2021). 

‘Messages about food should be consistent within the school environment, whether students are learning in the classroom, attending school events, accessing student nutrition programs, or participating in fundraising’ (Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, 2022).

In Canada, dietary risks are one of the leading risk factors for chronic disease, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer (Health Canada, 2019). Dietary risks refer to diets that are low in good elements such as nutritious foods, like vegetables and fruit, and high in things such as sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages.   

Using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework, schools, school boards, parents, and community partners can work together to develop healthy school environments that promote and support student well-being. Healthy Eating resources and supports are organized below following this framework.

Resources & Information for:

Resources

Lessons and Activities

  • School gardens teach children about where food comes from with school gardens can increase their awareness of the link between the food system, health, and sustainability. The resources in this section can help students learn more about the food system and how food is grown, including skill-building opportunities with potential links to other aspects of the curriculum (e.g., science, math).
  • Region on Waterloo- School Food Gardens Start-up Guide: A guide to installing and enhancing learning opportunities.
  • Growing Minds and Farm to School- Steps to a Classroom Garden: Ten points/tips to consider around planning a garden.
  • Juice Plus+- Tower Gardens: A vertical growing system that allows vegetables, herbs, and flowers in small spaces either indoors or outdoors. Included are lesson plans and learning materials.
  • Southwestern Ontario Gleaners: Students consider volunteering (those 14 years and older and with access to the Leamington facility) during the summer break to support making dehydrated soup and fruit mixes for international distribution. A great way to get community hours, support food relief efforts, and understand the issue of food waste in our communities.
  • Mindful Eating- Headspace blue tool: An online platform that supports access to information, related to mindfulness and coaching around various topics to improve health. The Headspace mindful eating section offers various activities and information.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • BrightBites (French): This non-profit project that breaks the challenge of improving school nutrition down into fun, easy badges. Entire schools (elementary and secondary) or individual classes/groups can sign up as teams and boost student well-being. Students can design campaigns to promote water consumption, plan healthier fundraisers, change school policies to support healthy eating in schools, and much more!
    • Water Works (French): This promotes water, especially in place of sugar-sweetened beverages. It can help prevent dental cavities, promote overall health, and help students and staff feel better throughout the day. Provided are tools and activities to support getting started.
  • Ontario Student Nutrition Program- Southwest- Great Big Crunch: Celebrated locally in October with interactive events. Typically, it is a chance to celebrate local farmers, the fall harvest, and a new school year.
  • When discussing nutrition and food, it is important to recognize that many factors influence the foods students bring to school. Some families do not have access to all types of foods or even enough food at home. Avoid commenting on the types and amounts of food brought from home. Instead, focus on how you can explore food in positive ways and expose students to a variety of food in the school environment.
  • Ontario, Ministry of Education- School Food and Beverage Policy (PPM 150): School boards must ensure that all food and beverages sold on school premises for school purposes meet specific requirements, including nutrition standards. The nutrition standards apply to all food and beverages sold on school property (e.g., cafeterias, vending machines, tuck shops), and through all programs and events such as catered lunch programs, bake sales, and sporting events. The purpose of the policy is to promote healthy food environments in schools by increasing access to healthy foods. Contact your school’s Public Health Nurse for questions about the policy.
  • School Wellness Bulletin Boards: Use this space to support the Dietitians of Canada’s, National Nutrition Month annual campaign which is in March. Its slogan is Unlock the Potential of Food. Available in French.
  • MLHU & SWPH- 10 Ways to Improve the School Food Environment (French): A resource that aims to make it easier for students to eat well and help them develop a positive relationship with food. 

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

School Grants

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

School Grants

  • School gardens teach children about where food comes from with school gardens can increase their awareness of the link between the food system, health, and sustainability. The resources in this section can help students learn more about the food system and how food is grown, including skill-building opportunities with potential links to other aspects of the curriculum (e.g., science, math).
  • Region on Waterloo- School Food Gardens Start-up Guide: A guide to installing and enhancing learning opportunities.
  • Growing Minds and Farm to School- Steps to a Classroom Garden: Ten points/tips to consider around planning a garden.
  • Juice Plus+- Tower Gardens: A vertical growing system that allows vegetables, herbs, and flowers in small spaces either indoors or outdoors. Included are lesson plans and learning materials.
  • Southwestern Ontario Gleaners: Students consider volunteering (those 14 years and older and with access to the Leamington facility) during the summer break to support making dehydrated soup and fruit mixes for international distribution. A great way to get community hours, support food relief efforts, and understand the issue of food waste in our communities.
  • Mindful Eating- Headspace blue tool: An online platform that supports access to information, related to mindfulness and coaching around various topics to improve health. The Headspace mindful eating section offers various activities and information.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • BrightBites (French): This non-profit project that breaks the challenge of improving school nutrition down into fun, easy badges. Entire schools (elementary and secondary) or individual classes/groups can sign up as teams and boost student well-being. Students can design campaigns to promote water consumption, plan healthier fundraisers, change school policies to support healthy eating in schools, and much more!
    • Water Works (French): This promotes water, especially in place of sugar-sweetened beverages. It can help prevent dental cavities, promote overall health, and help students and staff feel better throughout the day. Provided are tools and activities to support getting started.
  • Ontario Student Nutrition Program- Southwest- Great Big Crunch: Celebrated locally in October with interactive events. Typically, it is a chance to celebrate local farmers, the fall harvest, and a new school year.

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

School Grants