Congress Sends School Nutrition Bill to Obama
Today I read an article entitled, "Congress Sends School Nutrition Bill to Obama." The article discussed the decision of lawmakers to push for an increase in healthy foods served in schools. Although I do not understand all the politics of the bill, I strongly agree that children should not receive junk food in their school meals. Children begin their school day early and often don't receive nutritious meals at home. I believe that schools should provide food which will help students remain energized throughout their school day. When we serve fatty, sugary, foods to children we are giving them empty calories. Think about your classroom one hour after lunch. How often do you see children who are draggy and sometimes complaining because they are still hungry? Junk food has no place in a school cafeteria!
With the decrease in recess and physical education classes, children go to school for 8 hours with little exercise. To combat obesity and eliminate the common "midday crash" children need food that gives them energy. In the privacy of their own home people should be allowed to eat whatever, but while in school, children should be given the best nutritional diet possible. Vending machines should be non existing, fried foods should be minimal and sugar should be a rare treat. I understand that their are bigger problems in the school system, but providing a well balanced nutritional meal to all children should be important.
Boy, am I glad that someone has noticed the damaged that is being done to these poor kids bodies.
For more information on the Push to Get Junk Food Out of Schools, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/health/nutrition/08junk.html
I really think the school lunches at my school are nutritious but we share the same cafeteria as the high schoolers and middle schoolers. Once those kids get to the cafeteria they are allowed to choose anything on the menu and over half of them choose burgers/fries and pizza. I think the high schoolers should continue to have a choice to what they can eat because they can go off campus too but middle schoolers don't need to eat burgers every day!
ReplyDeleteOkibum, I just drives me crazy when I walk into a school and see Pepsi machines and vending machines full of candy. Kids get enough junk food after school. We have to find a way to help parents, educators, everyone realized that obesity in children has a lot of negative problems later in life.
ReplyDeleteIn our Elementary building I see a combination of the good and the bad. While we do have a small salad bar that is full of fresh foods, I look at the hot items and often wonder about the fat, sodium and preservatives found in the food. Althought I admit I have never delved deep into the nutritional value of the items found on our lunch menu, upon observation I would guess that it's not the greatest.
ReplyDeleteDefinately a form of reform that our nation needs to address.