Here’s a hot potato for you to chew on: “Do students eat like prisoners?” That’s the question Good Magazine presented in a post last week, comparing a typical school cafeteria meal to that of a prison inmate. In a nutshell – the comparison was less like comparing apples to oranges, and more like comparing inferior to second-rate.
Every year, parents are demanding more from their children’s schools (and rightfully so). The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 helped move the National School Lunch Program in the right direction, particularly for millions of low-income students who benefit from free breakfasts and lunches. However, additional funding is still desperately needed in order to ensure that our students are consuming the right, high-quality ingredients in adequate amounts.
Chef and Food Revolution star Jamie Oliver is empowering families with information and fighting to make sure that these improvements happen sooner rather than later. Last month, the spotlight was on Los Angeles when Oliver criticized the substandard options available in LAUSD lunches. He drew particular attention to the sugar-laden chocolate and strawberry-flavored milks being served, but was pleased to hear that they may soon be banned in Los Angeles schools. Unfortunately, not all parents are happy about the proposed change, worried that their children will be missing out on a calcium-rich diet. But that got me thinking – do we really assume that the only calcium source our children will consume is one pumped with sugar and artificial ingredients? I actually believe that we can have our cake (er, calcium-rich diet ) and eat it too.
That’s why I have an assignment for parents this weekend. Visit a farmers' market with your kids! Make it a field trip, grab your reusable bags, and maybe even let your child handle the cash (don’t miss those valuable opportunities for math and money lessons). And for extra credit, consider planting some vegetables in the backyard (tomatoes and squash grow easily in large pots for limited spaces). Check back here next week for some healthy (and delicious!) calcium-rich recipes that are completely sugar free, oh-so-natural, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Wendy Wegner is editor of educational content for 1 On 1 Academic Tutors in Los Angeles. Visit her on the Web at www.wendywegner.com.
Follow Wendy and 1 On 1 Academic Tutors on Twitter.
Comments