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- Impact of a food education session on vegetables plate waste in a portuguese school canteenPublication . Marques, Cátia; PM Lima, João; Fialho, Sónia; Pinto, Ezequiel; Santos, AnaSeveral authors have shown that vegetables are the most commonly wasted component in school lunches and enhance the importance of food education on topics such as food waste and vegetable consumption. The present research evaluated the efficacy of a single session of food education on vegetables waste and consumption. The data collection was focused on primary school students from a school located in Guarda district (Portugal). A vegetable selective aggregate weighing from the lunch plate was required in two distinct phases: before and after a single 30 min nutritionist’s intervention. The variables collected were the quantities of vegetables produced, leftovers and plate waste. Through these weighings, it was possible to measure the variables: distributed vegetables, consumed vegetables, vegetables waste, leftovers index, plate waste index. The use of materials such as a scale, suitable containers, gown, disposable gloves, cap and office supplies were necessary. In total during the two phases, 870 meals were evaluated. Measures of central tendency and statistical analysis tests were used. At the end of the present research, it was possible to verify significant results in the reduction of the vegetables leftovers index and in the increase in vegetable consumption per capita, through the nutritionist’s intervention. There were significant differences in the reduction of the index of vegetable leftovers and in the increase in the consumption of vegetables per capita and no significant differences in total vegetable waste. Potential causes and strategies for future research were also discussed. This study demonstrates how a nutritionist’s intervention, in a school context, could translate into behavioral change in nutrition and sustainability terms.
- Are intermediate school meals a real contribution to improve a healthy and sustainable diet ?Publication . Melo, Rita; PM Lima, João; Santos, Ana; Pinto, Ezequiel; Fialho, SóniaPurpose The purpose is to analyse the nutritional adequacy and carbon footprint of intermediated meals provided to preschool children and primary-level students in a Portuguese municipality. Design/methodology/approach An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sampling consisting of school snacks from a Portuguese municipality. The nutritional assessment used food labels and a Portuguese food composition table. The literature review for carbon footprint assessment was conducted by searching for the products under analysis or similar ones. Findings The results showed that 80% of snacks have a higher energy value than recommended. The majority of options are below recommendations for protein and fat and above recommendations for carbohydrates. The intermediated meals with more dairy products in composition have the highest carbon footprint. The carbon footprint included the packaging of the products, and it wasn't possible to determine the influence of non-food products. Research limitations/implications This study has limitations in the fact that we do not know the carbon footprint of Portuguese products and we had to compare them with others, from different countries, with possibly different types of production. Practical implications Intermediate meals are inadequate, and the carbon footprint is higher when the intermediated meals include products of animal origin – the reason why the composition of intermediated meals should be redesigned considering the achievement of these targets. Social implications The promotion of intermediated meals that promote the Mediterranean eating pattern contributes to health and well-being and is a vehicle for nutrition education and healthy food consumption in schools. Originality/value Many studies have been conducted to analyse the carbon footprint and environmental impact of school meals, but commonly lunch is the meal evaluated and the assessment of intermediated meals' impact is an open field. Originality/value Many studies have been conducted to analyse the carbon footprint and environmental impact of school meals, but commonly lunch is the meal evaluated and the assessment of intermediated meals' impact is an open field.