Nutrition Services :: Healthy Snack Guidelines

The Texas Department of Agriculture has established new policies regarding the availability of Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) in Texas schools. As a result, the following are the beverage/snack recommendations proposed by the Healthy Snack Task Force, a project of Georgetown Prevention Partnership and adopted by the Board of Trustees:

  • Take soda machines out of the middle schools. Provide water, sport drinks, juices and milk.
  • Add milk vending machines to middle schools and high schools
  • Turn off soda vending machines at high schools until after school (3: 45 pm).
  • Staff vending machines: offer 50% sodas and 50% other choices
  • During school hours, staff should model behaviors.
  • Align vending, cafeteria, and student sales to guidelines
  • Identify healthier and healthiest snack on vending machines and in cafeteria with signage and stickers.
  • Group snacks in healthiest, healthier, and limited categories.
  • In middle schools, have only 25% of the snacks in the limited category. Healthier and healthiest snacks should comprise 75% of the snacks.
  • In high schools, have only 50% of the snacks in the limited category. Healthier and healthiest snacks should comprise 50% of the snacks.
  • Promote student, staff, and parent education.
  • Use guidelines from San Antonio Bexar County Community Health Collaborative Fit City Vending Machines with some modification.

Rationale for Guidelines
Snacks

Healthiest – Must meet both criteria
• 3 grams of total fat or fewer per serving (Nuts & seeds exempt from restrictions
• 30 grams of carbohydrates or fewer per serving (all candies considered in limited category)
• Fruit in any form is permitted, regardless of carbohydrate count.
Healthier – Must meet both criteria
• 5 grams of total fat or fewer per serving (nuts & seed exempt from restrictions)
• 30 grams of carbohydrates or fewer per serving (all candies considered in limited category)
• Fruit in any form is permitted, regardless of carbohydrate count.
Portion Size – Portion size is not defined for any items, but smaller portion sizes are preferred.

Rationale

Fat: It was determined not to differentiate saturated fat from unsaturated fat. When total fat is considered, saturated fat tends to be low.

Nuts & seeds: Nuts and seeds are exempt from the fat guidelines, because they are high in monounsaturated fat, which can help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and maintain “good” HDL cholesterol. Nuts and seeds have been shown in many studies to reduce the risk of having a heart attack.

Carbohydrates: The level of carbohydrates was set at 30 grams per serving to include more food items. All candies are considered in the limited category, regardless of carbohydrate count.

Fruit: Fruit and vegetables in any form (canned, fresh, or dried) was not restricted by carbohydrate standards because it provides vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and dietary fiber that are beneficial to an overall balanced diet.

Portion Size: Portion size is not defined, because there is variability among products. However, the preference is for smaller-portioned products.

Healthiest

Healthier

Limited

Animal crackers, graham crackers

Granola bars, whole-grain fruit bars

Cookies (including low-fat)

   

Candy, candy bars, chocolate bars, toaster pastries, marshmallow/cereal treats

 

Baked chips, corn nuts, rice cakes, cereal/nut mix

Regular chips, cheese-flavored crackers, cracker sandwiches

Nuts & seeds – plain or with spices

Nuts & seeds with light sugar coating, cereal/nut mix

Candy or yogurt coated nuts

Trail mix-plain

Popcorn/nut mix

Trail mix with chocolate, yogurt, or candy

Fresh, canned or individually packed fruit – light syrup or natural juice only

 

Canned or aseptic-packed fruit in heavy syrup

Dried fruit – raisins, dried cranberries, fruit leathers

Fruit-flavored snacks

Candy or sugar-coated dried fruit

 

Pretzels – any flavor

Candy or yogurt covered pretzels

Fat-free popcorn

Light popcorn

Popcorn – butter, butter lovers, movie style

Beef jerky – 95% fat free

 

Sausages, pork rinds

Yogurt, preferable non-fat, low-fat, or light

   
 

Sugar-free gelatin, fat-free pudding

 

Beverages

Healthiest – Must meet both criteria
• Milk – Low fat (1%) or Nonfat preferred, any flavor
• Water - Pure
• Juice – at least 50% fruit or vegetable juice
Healthier – Must meet both criteria
• Water- Flavored or vitamin enhances
• Low-Calorie Beverage - < 50 calories per 12 ounce serving
Rationale

Milk: Milk in any form provides vitamins and minerals, but the low-fat and non-fat versions are preferred. Flavored milks are permitted

Water: Pure water is preferred, but water that is flavored maybe more attractive to someone who doesn’t drink plain water. The vitamin-enhanced waters may benefit people with such nutritional needs, although pure water is the healthiest choice.

Juice: Fruit and vegetable juices should contain at least 50-percent juices.

Carbonation and caffeine: Carbonation and caffeine in moderation do not have a significant effect on nutrition. Carbonated low-calorie beverages may be another option for people who don’t like milk or plain water.

Low-Calorie: Beverages containing 50 calories of less per 12 oz serving were deemed healthier options. Artificially sweetened drinks are not as healthy as pure water, but may be a healthy alternative for people trying to water their weight or manage their diabetes.
Healthiest

Healthier

Limited

Milk, any flavor – preferably non-fat or low-fat

Flavored or vitamin-enhanced fitness water, sparkling water  

Juice – fruit or vegetable that contains at least 50% juice

Low-calorie, diet sodas, low-cal iced teas, low-cal coffee, sport drinks Regular soft drinks

Water, pure

 

 

For more information about these policies, visit the links in the side bar for the Texas Department of Agriculture.

For more information about Nutrition Services, contact:

Karen Kovach
Nutrition Services Director
Georgetown Independent School District
603 Lakeway Drive, Georgetown TX 78626
Email: kovachk@georgetownisd.org
Phone: (512) 943-5119