Your student’s lunch should have the following items to be considered balanced. The following portions are served as part of the National School Lunch Program guidelines. Namaste staff has your child’s best interest in mind and reserve the right to substitute any items your child brings from home with a Namaste alternative. Thank you for supporting your child’s health!

• 2 servings (2 oz.) of whole grains – for example: whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain tortilla 

• 1 serving (2oz.) protein – for example lean meat, tofu, beans, lentils

• 1 serving (1/2 c., 4oz.) fruit – for example apple, banana, grapes, berries

• 1 serving (3/4 c., 6 oz. vegetables – for example carrot sticks, cucumber slices, broccoli florets, tomato slices,     red or green pepper

• Water or Plain Milk (8 oz.) to drink – (100% juice, 8 oz, and less than 120 calories is OK)

All lunches brought from home must have whole grains, protein, fruit, and vegetable in order to create a balanced lunch. Any product containing high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sugar above 10g,  sodium above 200mg (for sides), or above 200 calories (for sides) is NOT allowed.

The following are examples of items NOT allowed:

• Fruit-flavored gummy snacks (100% dried fruit is OK without added sugar)

• Snacks with over 10 grams of sugar such as cookies, cakes, sweets, and candy

• Lunchables 

• Fried foods

• High sodium snacks and chips including baked chips and cheez-its

• Fruit flavored drinks, energy drinks, soda, or Gatorade 

• Fruit cups packed in syrup (Fruit in water or juice is OK)