Pregnancy
School Lunches Today
by Janet Eigenbrod
Pizza topped with low fat cheese, spaghetti with ground turkey, and baked "french fries" might sound like the creations of a health-conscious household, but this is common fare for school lunches. After 50 years of little change, school lunch requirements have finally been updated to bring the meals in line with the latest scientific findings for improved nutrition and health.
It's Not 1946 Anymore
In 1946 Harry S. Truman signed the school lunch program into law. The program was started because of the high rate of malnourished students in the U.S. after World War II. Believe it or not, the program remained essentially the same until June of 1995, when President Clinton signed new regulations that address the nutritional problems of students. The problem was no longer malnutrition, but "over nutrition" -- school lunches have a high percentage of fat, carbohydrates, and sodium, and school kids tend to be overweight.
But Will the Kids Eat It?
Making lower fat lunches that children will eat is not an easy task. On the one hand, school food service employees need to be retrained. On the other hand, some creativity is needed to come up with healthy menus that kids will like. Although many old favorites can be adapted to bring down the fat content, parents and students need to be educated about why the new, adapted meals are healthier.
The Law Says "Make it Healthy"
The new requirements include:
- Fat needs to be limited to 30 percent of total calories; that means no more fried foods.
- Saturated fats need to be limited to no more than 10 percent of total calories; that means no more coconut oil.
- Sodium and cholesterol levels need to be reduced; that means less salt, and less red meat and cheese.
- Dietary fiber needs to increase; that means more veggies and whole grains.
The way food is served in the schools is changing, too. In many schools, students no longer get a filled "navy tray" handed to them. Many schools have food stations offering Italian or Mexican cuisine, salad bars, and vegetarian fare. And the seating sometimes even resembles restaurants, with smaller table arrangements. One school district in South Bend, Indiana has even installed booths in many of their eating areas.
What Parents Can Do
- Set a good example. Serve healthy meals at home, and offer variety in the foods you serve your family.
- Ask your children about their school meals. Do they have adequate time to finish their meal in the time allotted for eating?
- Visit your child's school and have lunch with your child. Experience first-hand the quality of your school's nutrition program.
- If you have questions about your child's school, don't be afraid to track down the food service manager – that's the person who will have the answers.
- Advocate that nutrition principles be taught in the classroom. The cafeteria can serve as the laboratory.
More on: Family Nutrition
