Brown Bag Olympics
This activity was sent to the MACH Diabetes Prevention Project by Public
Health Nutritionist, Cathy Chenhallin from Nova Scotia. It was developed
as part of their Healthy Foods at School Program. She reports that this
activity was popular with both students and teachers.
The Brown Bag Olympics is an easy, effective and fun way to promote and
support healthy eating in the school. This activity encourages parents
and children to prepare and eat healthy school recess and lunch food choices.
The criteria for the Brown Bag Olympics are as follows:
And the medal goes to…
To earn GOLD – Lunch must include at least one food
choice from each of the four food groups that fit the above criteria.
To earn SILVER – Lunch must include at least one food choice
form three of the four food groups that fit the above criteria.
To earn BRONZE – Lunch must include foods that provide
nutrients for growth, are not deep fried, do not stick to teeth, have
limited artificial flavoring, colouring and preservatives.
The BROWN BAG OLYMPICS can take place in your classroom for a week, two
weeks or a month at any time throughout the year. Try this activity early
in the school year. Work with the school principal to develop a certificate
so that each student can receive a certificate of participation and possibly
another small incentive such as a fancy pencil. Make the Olympics a class
activity, not an individual competition. Awards are given to the entire
class not just individual members of the class.
- Foods are from the 4 food groups of Canada’s Food Guide to
Healthy Eating, or use the Northern Food Guide in your Diabetes Medicine
Bag - The foods provide nutrients for growth
- The foods are not deep fried
- The foods do not stick to teeth
- Have limited artificial flavouring, colouring and preservatives