JEDDAH, 18 September 2003 — The new school year has started, and we know that what students eat affects their physical and mental growth. The Ministry of Education has put guidelines on food items which can be sold in school cafeterias as well as rules pertaining to general maintenance in cafeterias.
The guidelines include directions on how to store food and keep cafeterias clean. The cafeteria staff must follow the rules of good hygiene and handling and preparing meals in accepted ways.
The staff is also required to undergo a physical examination before the beginning of the school year.
The guidelines specify what kinds of food and drinks are prohibited in schools; these include carbonated sodas and sweet drinks with a low percentage of fruit juice in addition to candies, chocolates, gum, items in glass containers and any kind of meat. The items allowed include cookies, cakes, chips, nuts, dates, fresh fruit, fresh and bottled juices, milk, sandwiches and fried potatoes.
According to Patricia Evans, head of the nutrition department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, the most important thing for children is to have a well-balanced diet to ensure adequate growth and prevent obesity and diabetes — both of which are on the increase among children in Saudi Arabia.
“There has also been a rise in iron-deficiency anemia among children and this is an indication of a poor diet,” Evans told Arab News. “Children should eat from all food groups in the correct proportions to ensure an adequate supply of proteins, calcium, vitamins and carbohydrates,” she said. That does not mean, however, that they shouldn’t eat chocolate or cookies as long as these are considered treats and not meals.
“The choice of food in schools is generally limited and most of it is high in fat and sugar, such as crisps and confectionery foods.”
According to nutritional guidelines, Evans recommends that schools offer brown bread sandwiches, dates, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit.
If fresh fruit is not an option, then dried fruit and unsweetened natural fruit juices and low-fat dairy products after the age of five. Children will get the same amount of nutrients as in full-fat milk or yoghurt but with less fat.
An item that Evans particularly warned against is power drinks because they speed a child’s heart up. Even such drinks as Pepsi have a high caffeine content, which is not recommended for children.
“I think that if students are educated on the benefits of a balanced diet and why they need to eat the correct proportions of each food group, then they will become aware and make healthy choices throughout their lives,” said Evans.
Breakfast is an important meal for children as “it provides them with the energy they need. It’s like putting fuel in a car. Parents should start teaching their children good eating habits by feeding them balanced meals as early as possible at regular times. Parents should also be good role models for their children,” said Evans.
Evidence supports the idea that a good breakfast makes students sharper in class and improves their concentration and listening ability according to Evans.
“Instead of a croissant or doughnut, a healthy balanced breakfast can be whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk and some fresh juice, and it doesn’t take much time to prepare,” Evans pointed out.
Exercise is another important part of a child’s health. “It seems that there aren’t enough activities for students in school, especially for girls, and after school there isn’t much to do either,” said Evans.
“Schools should try to provide sports facilities for students, because if they are physically fit, they will be mentally fit as well.”
