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School Menu Nutrient Analysis
HISD Food Services takes great care in planning menus that meet the nutritional needs of our students. We strive to serve up a healthier you as we accomplish the following established strategies for menu planning and preparation as it relates to optimal nutrition:
- increase whole grains
- increase offerings of dark green/orange fruits & vegetables
- increase offerings of legumes
- increase fiber
- increase variety in fruit & vegetables offered
- reduce sodium
- increase calcium
- decrease processed foods
- eliminate trans fats
- decrease sugar
Minimum nutrient and calorie levels are based on a school week average. Breakfast and lunch meal totals are combined and then each weekly total is divided by the number of days in that week.
All menu items are analyzed using weighted analysis. A weighted nutrient analysis gives more weight to nutrients in popular foods that are more frequently selected by students. Weighted analysis allows for a greater contribution of nutrients to come from menu items that are selected more often and less nutrient contribution from those menu items selected less often.
HISD menus meet or exceed the USDA guidelines as determined by the grade levels shown below:
USDA LUNCH GUIDELINES Minimum Nutrient and Calorie Levels for School Lunches Nutrient and Energy Allowances Pre-Kindergarten Grade K-6 Grades 7-12 Calories 517 664 825 Total Fat <30% of calories <30% of calories <30% of calories Saturated Fat <10% of calories <10% of calories <10% of calories Protein (g) 7 10 16 Calcium (mg) 267 286 400 Iron (mg) 3.3 3.5 4.5 Vitamin A (RE) 150 224 300 Vitamin C (mg) 14 15 18 USDA BREAKFAST GUIDELINES Minimum Nutrient and Calorie Levels for School Breakfast Nutrient and Energy Allowances Pre-Kindergarten Grade K-6 Grades 7-12 Calories 388 498 618 Total Fat <30% of calories <30% of calories <30% of calories Saturated Fat <10% of calories <10% of calories <10% of calories Protein (g) 5 7 12 Calcium (mg) 200 214 300 Iron (mg) 2.5 2.63 3.4 Vitamin A (RE) 113 168 225 Vitamin C (mg) 11 11 14 The new HISD Food Service Support Facility brings a healthier menu to all students and staff. The cooking and warehousing facility allow our team to prepare more consistent, high quality, and nutritious meals by the addition of “scratch based” and home-cooked items to all menus. The menus feature an increase in whole grain bakery items, a variety of new fresh salads, breakfast entrees and of course your student’s traditional favorites produced with fresh ingredients and little to no preservatives.
The nutrient analysis for all menu items are listed below. For more information, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions or feel free to send specific requests to FSRESPONSELINE@houstonisd.org