Students who eat healthy meals and avoid junk food are more likely to do well in school and that's a message the Ministry of Health and Family Services is hoping to instil in students, parents and teachers with the introduction of a new nutrition policy for schools.

The new policy works as a guide to parents in preparing healthy school lunches and is part of the Healthy Schools initiative to promote healthy eating habits and increased activity at home and at school.

The Department of Health has produced the "Healthy Schools, Nutrition Policy" leaflet for parents to inform them about the nutrition policy which states that all food consumed on the school premises will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the students.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann said: "Good nutrition promotes optimal health, growth and intellectual development resulting in healthier students who are more likely to succeed."

He said all of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Bermuda are affected by eating patterns which are established in childhood.

Nutrition is considered to be an important strand in the Ministry of Education and Development's Health Education Curriculum.

Students are taught about the importance of the various food groups and how to make healthy food choices.

Students and their parents are encouraged to discuss the importance and implications of a sound diet, a regular exercise plan and a healthy lifestyle.

Chief Education Officer Dr. Joseph Christopher said: "To reinforce what students are learning in the classroom, we need to ensure the availability of healthy foods that appeal to students while in school, so they have the opportunity to make healthy food choices and develop healthy lifestyles."

He added that to successfully implement this policy, everyone had to work together to ensure only nutritionally acceptable foods are available for students to eat while at school.

This, he said, includes parents sending healthy foods for recess and lunch, principals and teachers monitoring the foods sent, caterers providing healthy food choices and community groups and businesses ensuring they provide nutritious foods for sale and at social events.

Healthy food alternatives for lunch boxes, according to the leaflet, include substituting various "unhealthy food choices" with "healthy food choices" like chocolate, candy, fruit roll-ups or snacks with light puddings, yoghurt, fresh fruit or dried fruit and sweetened drink boxes, sodas, iced teas, fruit drinks and energy-type drinks like Lucozade or Powerade with sparking or still water, 100 percent fruit juices, milk or sugar-free drinks.

The nutrition policy has also been endorsed by the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Dental Association, Dietician's Association, Heart Foundation, Nurses' Association, PALS, Medical Society, Bermuda Union of Teachers and the Department of Paediatrics at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.