Food & Nutrition
Our food philosophy is based on the belief that good nutrition can encourage a child's growth and awareness and increase confidence. Each menu at Golestan is designed seasonally to support local, organic farms whose land stewardship aids in the preservation of sustainable food sources.
We believe that not only what we eat but also the manner in which we eat directly affect our energy, mood, and our ability to focus, sleep, and cope with stress. At Golestan, we adhere to a sugar-free food program as a means of creating a calm environment that is conducive to learning. A child's sensitivity to sugar is particularly high as their nervous systems are fragile, making their mood and behavior especially susceptible to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. We use healthy alternatives to white sugar, such as honey, maple syrup, molasses, and sucanat, but only in moderation. These nutritive sweeteners contain vitamins and minerals essential to growth and healthy brain functioning.
Providing nutritious alternatives to commercial sugar-filled foods not only teaches children how to best fuel their growing bodies, but also provides staff with the opportunity to educate on how making healthy food choices benefits both their health and the health of our environment. Best of all, our weekly cooking classes empower students to participate in the process of preparing food that is both fun to create and fun to eat! From garden, to kitchen, to mouth- students expand their knowledge and appreciation for all the joined efforts that are part of a nourishing meal.
Preparing food from scratch (including bread) ensures that the nutrition each child receives from lunch and snack is best serving their needs by providing them with consistent and stable energy throughout the day. We understand that every individual has a unique chemistry that requires specific dietary attention. Therefore, we do our best to accommodate every child by serving balanced meals with a variety of options and by adapting our menu when necessary.
By Natalia Barr, in-house holistic chef.
"While speaking Farsi is a large part of the [Golestan] experience, it is an incredibly warm, loving, supportive, creative, fun environment. The kids (of many ages) eat lunch together that is provided on site -- healthy and environmentally friendly meals, with some of the food coming from the garden in the back."
