Hold School Lunches to Nutrtitional Requirements

 

Think back to what you ate for school lunch when you were a kid.

I remember chicken nuggets, tater tots, white rolls, pizza, and corn dogs back when I thought these things actually qualified as food.

Now I know better, but most kids do not. I believe it is the responsibility of parents and schools to work together in educating children and providing healthy options for them. 

The National School-Lunch Program has set criteria that school

meals must follow:

• Limits on fat, sugar, and sodium

• The use of 50% whole grain products

• Requirements that children take one serving of fruit and vegetables

• Reasonable age-based calorie restrictions

Conversely, the School Nutrition Association argues that the regulations are too expensive, wasteful and not kid-friendly enough. The problem with the credibility of the School Nutrition Association is that is largely funded by processed-food companies.

• FACT: Healthy foods rot.
• FACT: Processed foods rot much slower. (Thank you artificial preservatives!)

Remember: Our goal is to improve not only the health of school children, but to teach them invaluable habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.  

Whether or not it is the most economical policy, regulating the foods served to children is an investment in future generations. We as consumers have the choice to put our money toward healthful foods or large processed foods companies. If we keep buying it, they will keep supplying it.

What do you think?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/first-lady-vows-to-fight-healthy-school-lunch-rollback/2014/05/19/300e6ea2-df73-11e3-9743-bb9b59cde7b9_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/NSLPFactSheet.pdf

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm