School lunches: Are They Hurting or Helping

But has there actually been a difference in the content of the food?  In some states it has shown improvement, in others it is still as greasy as ever.

A Midwest teacher set out on a mission to make school lunches healthier. Her identity is unknown, but on her blog she refers to herself as Mrs. Q. Every day she participates in the school lunch program. Mrs. Q takes pictures of everything she eats and then blogs about it on the internet. Telling of her experience and hoping that it will slowly change the school lunch program for the better.

As of 2010, 75 million people are considered to be obese.  Health officials say that school lunches are definitely not helping this situation by serving fattening and greasy foods. Items like fries, chicken nuggets, hamburgers and other fattening foods are sold every day in over a thousand schools.  States like Maine,even have cafeterias that offer more fattening options than good ones.  In Westbrook, Maine a few cafeterias resemble more like the inside of a food court in a mall, than a school cafeteria. Children can choose from a cheap version of McDonalds, or Wendy’s, taco bell, and Chinese restaurants.

One idea to improve your children’s lunch is to pack it yourself. These days kids see that as un-cool and humiliating. But it just might be the key to keeping your child healthier. Pack fruit and vegetables, or give them something you know they will love. Pack their favorite food, as long as it is a healthy one or contains healthy items.

If your child or teenager is adamant about buying lunch at school because all of their friends do, then send him some money with his lunch to get something from the machines. This will ensure that he/she doesn’t feel left out and still eats healthy.

Ask your child’s school for a menu. On the days that you know they will be serving a healthy lunch, give your child the money to purchase lunch that day.

If you really want to make a change in the lunch’s your child is served, than try getting a group of parents together.  Create a new and cost effective menu that you think meets within the schools budget. Detail places on where they can purchase the food and the cost of each item per pound or unit. The school may consider it.

Changing the nation’s lunch system will be a long process. Small steps are being taken though. Milk and a serving of vegetables are now being served in some states.