Better health and ageing for all Australians

National Healthy School Canteens Project Training Program 1 Program Briefing

The Green Category always on the Canteen Menu

Up to Nutrition and Healthy Eating

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Encourage and promote these foods and drinks as tasty, good value choices:

  • Provide them every day
  • Present as the main choice
Because they:
  • Offer a wide range of nutrients
  • Are generally low in saturated fats and/or added sugars and/or salt
In the Green category we have the foods and drinks that should be encouraged and promoted as the best choices for the school canteen menu.

They should be on the menu every day and presented as the main choice on the menu because they offer a wide range of nutrients and are generally lower in saturated fats and/or added sugars and/or salt. Saturated fat and salt have been associated with the onset of chronic disease. Added sugar contributes kilojoules without any nutrients.

The Green Category

  • Breads, wholegrain breakfast cereals (without added confectionery), lower in added sugar, higher fibre
  • Dairy foods: low or reduced fat milk plain and flavoured, yoghurt, and cheese
  • Fruits (not dried); fresh, frozen or canned
  • Vegetables (including legumes): fresh, frozen, canned
  • Unprocessed lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts*
  • Rice, pasta, plain noodles
  • Water, plain and nothing added
  • Tap, spring, mineral or sparkling
Note
  • Flavoured milks, fruit yoghurts and custards may contain intense (artificial) sweeteners.
  • Individual school policies may prevent canteens from stocking foods containing specific allergens e.g. nuts.
  • Suggested serve size for milk drinks is 375mL. However, canteen managers may sell larger sizes if they wish. (Exception is coffee-style milk drinks – see Amber category slide 14.)
  • Foods and drinks categorised as Green or Amber according to the NHSC criteria may be included on the school canteen menu, but will not necessarily be available on every school canteen menu. The sale of these foods and drinks may be further restricted by local arrangements. For example: where there is a ‘no caffeine’ or ‘nut free’ policy in place, foods containing these ingredients may not be sold.
  • Local arrangements should not be used to allow foods and drinks categorised as Red to be on the school canteen menu.
*Check your school policy regarding the use of nuts and products containing nuts

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