In April 2007, the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) published its recommendations for foods that should be served in schools, outside of the organized school lunch meals. The IOM’s report was an attempt to present clear guidelines for foods that would support the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Download the full IOM report here.
Tier One Foods: for all Students in all grades
Tier 1 foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and related combination products* and nonfat and low-fat dairy that are limited to 200 calories or less per portion as packaged and:
No more than 35 percent of total calories from fat
Less than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fats
Zero trans fat (less than or equal to 0.5 g per serving)
35 percent or less of calories from total sugars, except for yogurt with no more than 30 g of total sugars, per 8-oz. portion as packaged
Sodium content of 200 mg or less per portion as packaged
Á la carte entrée items meet fat and sugar limits as listed above and:**
Are National School Lunch Program (NSLP) menu items
Have a sodium content of 480 mg or less
* Combination products must contain a total of one or more servings as packaged of fruit, vegetables, or whole grain products per portion.
**200-calorie limit does not apply; items cannot exceed calorie content of comparable NSLP entrée items.
Tier Two Foods: for all High School Students After School
Tier 2 snack foods are those that do not exceed 200 calories per portion as packaged and:
No more than 35 percent of total calories from fat
Less than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fats
Zero trans fat (less than or equal to 0.5 g per portion)
35 percent or less of calories from total sugars
Sodium content of 200 mg or less per portion as packaged.
Tier 1 beverages are:
Water without flavoring, additives, or carbonation.
Low-fat* and nonfat milk (in 8 oz. portions)
Lactose-free and soy beverages are included
Flavored milk with no more than 22 g of total sugars per 8-oz. portion
100-percent fruit juice in 4-oz. portion as packaged for elementary/middle school and 8 oz. (two portions) for high school.
Caffeine-free, with the exception of trace amounts of naturally occurring caffeine substances.
*1-percent milk fat
Tier 2 beverages are:
Non-caffeinated, non-fortified beverages with less than 5 calories per portion as packaged (with or without nonnutritive sweeteners, carbonation, or flavoring).