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this article from
Time For Kids.
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What's For Lunch?
U.S. kids may soon face better choices at lunchtime
When the clock
strikes 11 a.m., the fifth graders at Melrose Elementary School in
St. Petersburg, Florida, pile into the cafeteria. They can't wait to
see what their lunch lady, Ernestine Foster, is serving up. Linda
Nhon, 11, smiles excitedly when she sees the baked pasta made with
tomatoes. "I like eating at school," she says as she grabs a slice
of bread baked fresh at school that morning. "It's like home
cooking."
That's right.
Reheated Salisbury steak and runny macaroni and cheese are strictly
prohibited in Melrose's kitchen! Last year, the school started fresh
in its cafeteria, making the menu more healthful and tasty. The drab
walls were painted with colorful murals. "It's important that kids
start eating the right way," says cafeteria manager Lisa Buis.
Across the country,
educators, parents and even government officials are focusing on
just that--getting kids to eat right. In the next few months,
Congress will take a close look at what the nation's 53 million
schoolchildren are eating. "This is an opportunity for the nation to
make changes that will improve the long-term health of our kids,"
said Gaye Lynn MacDonald, president of the American School Food
Service Association.
WE ARE WHAT WE EAT
Thirteen percent of
American children are obese, or severely overweight, according to a
2001 report. This will lead to serious health problems. School
lunches aren't entirely to blame, but they are a good place to start
making changes: 27 million school lunches are served to kids every
day!
Jen Keller, a
dietitian with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine,
says many school lunches offer poor choices that can lead to
lifelong bad eating habits. At school, "you see chicken nuggets and
sausage pizza," she says. "We all know those foods aren't healthy,
but kids get used to eating them every day."
Last week, Secretary
of Agriculture Ann Veneman announced the department's nutrition
goals. She said the government is committed to kids' health:
"Everyone has a role to play in making healthier choices, from
parents and educators to the government." She thinks schools should
set a better example.
AVOIDING THE JUNK
FOOD TRAP
All school
cafeterias currently offer a choice of fruits and vegetables, but
most kids don't touch the stuff. MacDonald admits that it's not easy
for kids to turn down hamburgers or greasy fries if the only other
choices are a wilted salad or mushy canned beans.
Fresh fruits and
vegetables, instead of canned ones, would be more appealing. But
those cost more. One proposal that Congress is considering would
increase funding for school lunch programs in order to buy fresh
produce.
Vending machines are
another source of unhealthy temptation at school. Most are filled
with high-fat foods like chips, cookies and ice cream. Schools use
the machines to raise money. However, many schools are starting to
replace the junk food with more healthful snacks and drinks. In Los
Angeles, California, soda was banned in schools last year. Vending
machines offer juice and water only.
LESSONS THAT LAST A
LIFETIME
Some kids are so
used to eating junk, they don't know what nutritious foods look
like! Lisa Kingery developed a program in New York City in which
kids learn to cook good foods in class with their teacher. Tirikia
Townes, 8, of P.S. 38 learned to make a sweet snack: Dip apples in
peanut butter and add raisins on top. She liked it so much, she
served it, instead of candy, at a party at home. Says Kingery:
"That's planting the seed for healthy living!"
Used
with permission from TIME for Kids magazine, c 2000, 2001 |
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