Importance Of School Lunches
Why School Lunches Should Have Regulations
While going through the lunch line in your cafeteria, have you ever wondered who was deciding what fruits and vegetables should go on your tray? Or what the correct serving size of mashed potatoes should be? It is time to get a little background knowledge on how the government decides what is too much and when it is enough. The government should have a say in our diets because it has an impact on students, bringing obesity to their attention; giving them healthier options without the cost and more nutritious meals.
Obesity has been a big problem in the United States for quite some time mainly dealing with children. “Awareness about an obesity crisis in America particularly among young …show more content…
people has spread like wildfire over the last several years, in large part because of Michelle Obama's focus on the epidemic” (Newsleader). Many schools have lunch regulations, these regulations decide the portion size of all food. The rules also state that each student should have a fruit or vegetable; due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. “The goal of this effort- a healthier, better-exercised, and weight conscious citizenry is hard to argue against” (Newsleader). Some parents wonder if these new regulations will actually benefit their kids; many older students are unhappy with the new lunches because, the portions are not as big as before. It seems as if more food is being wasted than eaten according to teachers and principals.
Portion size isn't the only problem when it comes to these regulations, the question from many schools is how do we make our meals healthier for our students? And how do we keep it from costing us a pretty penny? “A meal consisting of a sandwich and a pint of milk won't be reimbursable unless the child has a fruit or vegetable on the tray, too, Kent said. Without the fruit or vegetable, students will be charged the a-la-carte prices” (Forman). Districts want to improve the nutritional value for the students, but with that idea comes a high price for these changing food programs. Many school lunch prices went up this year just to help the district with new federal regulations. “The district also will be able to seek state certification of the nutritional value of its meals to become eligible for reimbursement of another 6 cents per meal” (Forman).
We all like having a say in what we eat, but sometimes what we pick aren't the healthiest or nutritious foods.
That's why at some schools they do not have a choice or they are given only a few options. “Elementary students in the district have no choice, everything is put on their tray for them, while high school students pick out their items” (Sylvester). Most school cafeterias always serve two entrees, but the biggest change for many schools was you have to take a fruit or vegetable, this seemed to be the hardest at the high school level. Students were used to picking items from three of the five food groups-meat and protein, fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy. “While schools always have had regulations for school lunches, they have never been has specific” (Sylvester). Although these lunch regulations may be difficult for some, the changes have the students best interest in mind. Keeping lunches nutritious, and students of all ages healthy.
The government should not have a say in school lunches because students are not getting the nutrition they need. “They have been hearing from parent and particularly older students who are unhappy with the lower calorie and lower-fat meals full of fruits and vegetables” (Newsleader). Many guardians of the students think it's better for their kids to take what they will actually, eat instead of getting fruits and vegetables that they will throw in the trash anyway. Some students ask why the government can not just make the food they have now healthier and keep the same
items.
The government should have a say in our diets because it raises awareness about obesity in young people; providing them with better options, without higher prices and a more balanced diet.
While going through the lunch line in your cafeteria, have you ever wondered who was deciding what fruits and vegetables should go on your tray? Or what the correct serving size of mashed potatoes should be? It is time to get a little background knowledge on how the government decides what is too much and when it is enough. The government should have a say in our diets because it has an impact on students, bringing obesity to their attention; giving them healthier options without the cost and more nutritious meals.
Obesity has been a big problem in the United States for quite some time mainly dealing with children. “Awareness about an obesity crisis in America particularly among young …show more content…
people has spread like wildfire over the last several years, in large part because of Michelle Obama's focus on the epidemic” (Newsleader). Many schools have lunch regulations, these regulations decide the portion size of all food. The rules also state that each student should have a fruit or vegetable; due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. “The goal of this effort- a healthier, better-exercised, and weight conscious citizenry is hard to argue against” (Newsleader). Some parents wonder if these new regulations will actually benefit their kids; many older students are unhappy with the new lunches because, the portions are not as big as before. It seems as if more food is being wasted than eaten according to teachers and principals.
Portion size isn't the only problem when it comes to these regulations, the question from many schools is how do we make our meals healthier for our students? And how do we keep it from costing us a pretty penny? “A meal consisting of a sandwich and a pint of milk won't be reimbursable unless the child has a fruit or vegetable on the tray, too, Kent said. Without the fruit or vegetable, students will be charged the a-la-carte prices” (Forman). Districts want to improve the nutritional value for the students, but with that idea comes a high price for these changing food programs. Many school lunch prices went up this year just to help the district with new federal regulations. “The district also will be able to seek state certification of the nutritional value of its meals to become eligible for reimbursement of another 6 cents per meal” (Forman).
We all like having a say in what we eat, but sometimes what we pick aren't the healthiest or nutritious foods.
That's why at some schools they do not have a choice or they are given only a few options. “Elementary students in the district have no choice, everything is put on their tray for them, while high school students pick out their items” (Sylvester). Most school cafeterias always serve two entrees, but the biggest change for many schools was you have to take a fruit or vegetable, this seemed to be the hardest at the high school level. Students were used to picking items from three of the five food groups-meat and protein, fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy. “While schools always have had regulations for school lunches, they have never been has specific” (Sylvester). Although these lunch regulations may be difficult for some, the changes have the students best interest in mind. Keeping lunches nutritious, and students of all ages healthy.
The government should not have a say in school lunches because students are not getting the nutrition they need. “They have been hearing from parent and particularly older students who are unhappy with the lower calorie and lower-fat meals full of fruits and vegetables” (Newsleader). Many guardians of the students think it's better for their kids to take what they will actually, eat instead of getting fruits and vegetables that they will throw in the trash anyway. Some students ask why the government can not just make the food they have now healthier and keep the same
items.
The government should have a say in our diets because it raises awareness about obesity in young people; providing them with better options, without higher prices and a more balanced diet.