New scheme at Fife school wants to help pupils stay healthy

Glenrothes High School has recently introduced a scheme whereby all foods, drinks and snacks sold within the school list the calorie and carbohydrate content, along with the amount of salt, energy, protein and fats within it.

Avril McNeill, the school’s rector, told the Gazette that pupils are currently left in the dark about what they are eating and drinking while in school and believes that this needs to change.

And it’s a scheme that she hopes schools across Scotland will consider.

“As a health-promoting school, we currently do not allow energy or fizzy drinks,” she explained.

“We wanted to go one step further so Linda Walker from the school’s administrative team, has worked very hard in conjunction with Fife’s Catering Service and Diabetes Association for Fife Youngsters to label schools meals with nutritional information, including carbohydrate content.”

The initiative, which has proved popular with pupils, has been praised by Glenrothes councillor Julie Ford, who has since informed the Scottish government of the scheme.

“I think this is an excellent initiative, and one that needs to be pushed not just locally, but nationally,” said Cllr Ford.

“This will allow young adults to take responsibility for what they are eating and drinking and will help them make better nutritional choices.

“As soon as Mrs McNeill informed me about this, I had to get in touch with the Scottish Government to ask for their support.

“I was delighted by the response and I hope that we will be working with the government in the coming months to help further these plans.”