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School Fruit Breaks
This page and those following explain why you should consider setting
up a fruit break in your school. They also provide a resource that will
allow you to set up a school fruit break.
What
is a Fruit Break?
A fruit break is a short set break
which allows children to eat fruit (or vegetables like carrots) in the
classroom. They usually take place in primary schools, but we have
assisted secondary schools to set up school fruit breaks.
Students ‘re-fuel’ with fruit or vegetables during the
morning or afternoon, which helps with performance and
concentration as well as health.
The fruit break usually takes place at the children's' desk.
Fruit
breaks have the following benefits:
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They
encourage the consumption of fruit (most children do not eat enough
fruit for good health) |
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Hungry
students find it hard to concentrate - fruit breaks can help children
to be more alert and attentive in the classroom |
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Students
are often more interested in playing during morning break, and may end
up extremely hungry by lunchtime - fruit breaks can help alleviate
this |
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A
structured fruit break is a great way of promoting healthy eating at
school |
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Fruit
breaks are a healthy way of sustaining students through the school day |
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Fruit
breaks help children to think of fruit and veggies as
"cool" |
Fruit Breaks encourage fruit
and vegetable consumption in a positive way and
reinforce the concept of healthy eating. They are
popular amongst teachers, parents and children - fruit
breaks work!
Why Fruit: Health Benefits of
Fruits
and Vegetables
Start a
Fruit Break
Case Study
You can download the following RedBranch fruit break resources:
These
documents need to be viewed in Adobe Reader. This is available free, and you
can download a copy by clicking the graphic below. 
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Eating
plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of:
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Heart disease
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High blood pressure
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Type II diabetes
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Certain cancers
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Irish children tend
not to consume enough fruits and vegetables. Two-thirds of Irish children do not even eat one piece of fruit per
day
Quotes from children:
“We
are learning and eating something healthy at the same time”…..Lisa
“Your
mums and dads don’t have to go buy fruit in the shop every day”
-
Sophia
“I
just can’t wait for 6th class to bring around the fruit every day”
- Eimear
“It’s
a good way of getting us to eat healthier”
- Ciara |
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