THE STRUGGLE IS REAL: SCHOOL LUNCHES

By: Brandy Bradell

SCHOOL LUNCHES ARE NOT HEALTHY

• Ongoing research since the 1990’s has proven that school lunches are unhealthy.

• They are not healthy because of their nutritional value, how they are prepared, and the limited food choices.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

•Only one program regulates the nutritional value of school lunches: The National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

• The NSLP was signed into law in 1946 and was originally implemented to absorb farm surpluses, while at the same time providing food to school children.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE CONT’D

• The NSLP is out of date and the food distributed under its guidelines is not much healthier than most fast food.

• The meals are high in fat, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup.

• Few nutritional value regulations means unhealthy school lunches!

NUTRITIONAL VALUE CONT’D

•Minimum requirements exist for certain nutrients, but there is no maximum limit.

•Over half of the food in school lunches is sent to processors before being served to children.

• This processing is unregulated for nutritional quality.

SCHOOL LUNCH PREPARATION

• Preparation of school lunches is not regulated – it can be prepared any way.

• Fried food has the official green light.

• French fries that have been fried are considered fresh vegetables.

SCHOOL LUNCH PREPARATION CONT’D

• The USDA is the source of food for the schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.

• The USDA is fully aware of the lunches being processed before being served and acknowledges that it decreases the healthiness of them.

• Food may be soaked in grease, fried, cooked in butter, and processed before being served to school children.

LIMITED FOOD CHOICES

• The NSLP allows any kind of food to be served in school lunches.

• Cheaper food choices such as French fries, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs are being served despite the fact that they are unhealthy.

• Serving healthier food choices is more expensive, and this can be a challenge when faced with a limited budget.

LIMITED FOOD CHOICES CONT’D

• The usual lunch consists of French fries, chicken nuggets or some type of chicken by-product, and a dessert. Chips, cheeseburgers, and other unhealthy food choices are in place as well.

• The USDA admitted that many school districts serve foods that are high in salt, fats, and sugars.

CONCLUSION

• School lunches are a lot healthier than they were, but they still could use some work. Food is a big part of every person’s life, and it has a great impact on how healthy one is. With its direct correlation to good health, it is imperative that students have access to healthy food while in school five out of the seven days a week.