What are the guidelines for providing meals for primary school students in Vietnam?

What are the guidelines for providing meals for primary school students in Vietnam?

Under Subsection 2, Section 4 of Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT 2022 regarding providing meals for students:

* Preparation

- Wash hands with clean water and soap following the correct process.

- Teachers or staff providing meals distribute rice and food into trays/bowls for students and place them on the serving table.

- Create enthusiasm for the meal: Teachers or staff serving meals introduce the dishes; engage students in conversations about the meals, food preparation methods, nutritional benefits, etc.

- Students line up in an orderly manner at the serving table to carry their tray/bowl to the dining table and sit down to prepare for the meal.

* During the Meal

- Teachers or staff providing meals create a joyful and comfortable atmosphere for students during the meal.

- Remind students to practice polite dining behaviors such as:

+ Sitting properly while eating;

+ Eating neatly without spilling;

+ Chewing quietly, thoroughly;

+ Not talking or laughing while eating;

+ Not grabbing food with hands;

+ Not competing for food.

- Teachers discuss the dishes, the benefits of each food group in the meal, healthy eating policies, why a diversified diet is needed, some health issues related to poor eating habits (malnutrition, overweight, obesity, food poisoning, dental caries...).

- Encourage and motivate students to finish their meal.

- During the meal, if a student goes to the restroom, remind them to wash their hands thoroughly.

* After the Meal

- Guide students to clean their dining area after finishing their meal.

- Wipe the mouth and arrange tables and chairs neatly. Put trays/bowls, spoons, and napkins in the designated place after finishing the meal.

- Students sort waste in their meal trays and dispose of it in the arranged area and wash hands thoroughly.

- Remind students not to run and jump after eating.

What are the guidelines for providing meals for primary school students in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What is the nutritional education content for primary school students in Vietnam?

Under Subsection 2, Section 4 of Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT 2022 regarding nutritional education content for primary school students in Vietnam:

- Students in grades 1 and 2 can understand the role of each type of food belonging to each level of the nutritional pyramid, and recognize the names of foods in school meals and at home. Consume fully 6 food groups, encouraging increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and the use of healthy foods.

- Students in grades 3 to 5 can understand the role of each type of food belonging to each level of the nutritional pyramid, and recognize the names of foods in school meals and at home.

Consume fully 6 food groups, encouraging increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and the use of healthy foods. The amount of food should be according to the serving unit of each level of the nutritional pyramid.

Recognize unhealthy foods at the sugar, salt, fat level of the pyramid. Know how to identify stale, unsafe foods and know how to read food labels.

What are the regulations on complying with the energy distribution ratio of meals for primary school students in Vietnam?

Under Subsection 2, Section 1 of Decision 2195/QD-BGDDT 2022  on complying with the energy distribution ratio of meals for primary school students:

- Number of meals for primary school students at school: one main meal and one snack

+ Lunch should meet 30-40% of recommended daily energy needs according to each age group.

+ Snacks should meet 5-10% of energy needs.

- For primary schools organizing school meals distributed into 4 meals, the energy distribution is as follows:

+ Breakfast should meet 25-30% of the daily energy needs.

+ Lunch should meet 30-40% of the daily energy needs.

+ Snacks should meet 5-10% of the daily energy needs.

+ Dinner should meet 25-30% of the daily energy needs.

- For primary schools not organizing school meals or organizing meals without snacks: Ensure to provide children with at least 3 main meals, and do not let children skip breakfast when going to school.