As students prepare to return to classrooms on 25 August, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has announced stricter nutrition rules for schools. The new regulations ban all external food deliveries during school hours, targeting the growing trend of fast food consumption among children.
The move is designed to create healthier eating environments, reduce access to junk food, and promote long-term wellness. Schools across the emirate have begun sharing awareness messages with parents, emphasising the direct link between balanced meals and improved concentration, memory, energy levels, and overall well-being.
Goodbye Fast Food, Hello Balanced Menus
Under the updated framework, crisps, sugary drinks, and fried snacks are being phased out of school premises. Instead, students will see canteen menus shift toward nutrient-rich meals such as whole-grain sandwiches, fruit platters, salads, and light dairy products.
Nutrition experts note that nearly half of students still bring items low in nutritional value to school, a factor linked to increasing childhood obesity and diabetes cases in the UAE. By setting firm restrictions and introducing healthier options, ADEK hopes to reshape eating patterns from an early age.
Lunchbox Guidelines for Parents
Parents are being urged to play an active role in the policy’s success. Schools have circulated guidelines recommending lunchboxes packed in safe, compartmentalised containers to keep food portions balanced and fresh.
The focus is on encouraging fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, while discouraging processed snacks. By coordinating efforts between schools and households, authorities aim to ensure children consistently receive the right fuel for both learning and growth.
Safety First: New Allergy Protocols
Alongside food bans, schools are now required to maintain detailed allergy records and clearly label all canteen items. Staff must be trained to handle allergic reactions and ensure that every meal meets both safety and cultural dietary needs. This focus on inclusivity guarantees that students with allergies or specific food preferences can enjoy safe and balanced meals without risk.
Parents as Key Partners
Authorities stress that parents are vital to making these changes effective. While schools can control canteen offerings, habits built at home play an equally important role. Experts encourage parents to cut back on processed foods, prepare balanced meals, and involve children in food choices to strengthen healthy habits.
Balanced eating not only supports physical growth but also improves mental resilience, giving students the focus needed to perform better academically.
How Dubai is Moving in the Same Direction
Dubai has also been strengthening its school nutrition framework. Updated canteen guidelines limit added sugar and promote fibre-rich meals, while digital tools such as “My School Food” help parents and schools monitor compliance. Together with Abu Dhabi’s new measures, the UAE is taking a unified approach to tackling childhood obesity and lifestyle-related diseases through better nutrition in schools.
Expert Voices on Health and Learning
Health specialists underline that the timing of these measures is crucial. With increasing cases of obesity and Type 2 diabetes among young students, action within schools provides a vital layer of prevention. Balanced diets, rich in vitamins and minerals, not only boost physical health but also improve learning, attention spans, and coping abilities under academic pressure.
A Long-Term Investment in Student Well-being
Abu Dhabi’s new school nutrition policy goes beyond the start of the academic year—it sets a foundation for lifelong healthy habits. By cutting off easy access to fast food, regulating canteen menus, and guiding parents on better lunchbox practices, the emirate is making a clear statement: student well-being is a top priority.
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