As a teacher and a mom, having healthy items served at school for lunch is something that I’m very passionate about.
Throughout my 10 year career, I have actually seen really nice strides toward offering healthier options in our cafeteria. We have several salad, soup and sandwich options to help the students make better choices at lunch.
However, not all schools are doing the same. It’s a problem that shouldn’t be ignored, but unfortunately, this is often the case.
As a mom, I am very conscientious as to what food I buy for my kids. I try my best to serve them healthy foods and teach them about making good decisions when it comes to eating.
I often worry though that once they’re in school – will there be healthy options available for them?
This past week I read a little bit about National School Lunch Week, which held the theme School Lunch – Let’s Grow Healthy.
I wanted to take a moment today to share an infographic on childhood obesity. The facts are simply stunning. And not in a good way.
I hope that we’ll see some nationwide changes in the future with our school lunch programs. Take it from me, dealing with weight issues is simply not fun. Giving every student the opportunity for a chance at a healthier life should be a necessity, not a luxury.
Brought to you by MAT@USC Masters in Teaching
Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for discussing National School Lunch Week or including this infographic in my post. I was happy to do so, as it is a cause that I’m passionate about.
Homepage photo credit: Google images
How are the lunches at your kids school? Do you purchase lunch or do you typically pack?
October 13, 2011 at 9:04 pm
I almost always pack for my kids, but am ok with them buying occassionally. Their schools often a wide variety for lunch and my kids usually make decent choices when buying. However……I have seen some pretty bland, processed foods offered in schools. Hotdog, tasteless cooked veggies (that no one eats) and a slop of peaches? Gross. Great graphics!
October 14, 2011 at 11:49 am
I feel like there is some improvement all over, but there’s also still the bad items – ala slop of peaches. Hopefully it continues to change for the better!
Twitter: galitbreen
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October 13, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Fantastic post, Elena, and such an important topic!
I think our school’s lunches aren’t too bad- the serving sizes are much better than they used to be and there’s always fruits and veggies included. But they aren;t as healthy as from home.
So we let Kayli pick one hot lunch a week, if there’s something that she wants that week. So far, so good!
Again, love that you broached this topic!
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October 14, 2011 at 11:51 am
I love the idea you have of one hot lunch a week! It’s awesome to see some incorporation of healthy foods in the cafeteria. Hopefully someday we get there!
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
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October 13, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Great topic Elena! Only 1 of my kids is in school right now and so far our school system is very passionate about what they serve during lunch. I’m actually very impressed with it. Though, sadly, from the looks of the infographic above we seem to be the minority there.
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October 14, 2011 at 11:51 am
That’s awesome about your school! One more reason that I should move next door to you.
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October 13, 2011 at 10:55 pm
I will be sharing this everywhere I can! I taught in a high school and hated the options. yes some attempts at healthy but weak attempts. And the drink machines. It doesn’t matter if they are only open during certain hours… kids are smart, they’ll buy enough for the whole day. All they need is WATER!!
The daycare we went to had a cater in lunch from a local restaurant that cooked all organic, healthy portion foods. I wanted to eat lunch with them! And my boys now eat salad, carrots, etc… things they would never touch if Mommy served them!
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October 14, 2011 at 11:55 am
That’s really cool how your daycare took such measures to provide healthy options. I couldn’t agree more with you on the vending machines – the closing times doesn’t stop them at all from purchasing before/after school. As someone who just gave up pop & feels so much better after doing so, I’d love to see all water in those machines.
Twitter: momgosomething
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October 14, 2011 at 12:33 am
All the schools that I know of in our surrounding area does not serve cafeteria meals. I think some high schools do but not all.
I think it’s important that we incorporate healthy choices…for healthier future choices
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October 14, 2011 at 11:56 am
Wow – I’ve never seen schools that don’t offer lunch options. Maybe that’s a good thing!
Twitter: rachdelaurier
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October 14, 2011 at 9:04 am
I am passionate about this, too. I pack lunches for my kids except for Fridays. I see Lucas’ class picture and 98% of the little girls in his classes have fat faces and are overweight, some of the boys are, too. Do you watch Jamie Oliver’s show? That program makes me absolutely bat-shit crazy; the way that many schools just serve crap – even after he educates everyone on nutrition, preparation, etc. These poor kids!
October 14, 2011 at 3:24 pm
I have seen that show before – it is definitely hard to watch how it was before he arrived and then after (if they aren’t following his suggestions)!
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
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October 14, 2011 at 9:35 am
Wow, those statistics are scary. I have no idea what the stats are here in Malaysia, but I would not be surprised if they’re very similar, though our rate of childhood obesity is possibly lower – for now. But I do know and observe many kids eat fast food and drink soda ALL THE TIME, it’s frightening.
I hope his campaign works!
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October 14, 2011 at 3:25 pm
It is very frightening! I hope that it doesn’t increase for you guys. It’s a very scary epidemic.
Twitter: coffeeluvinmom
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October 14, 2011 at 9:54 am
I love this – great way to present it.
I do pack my kids lunch most of the time – we just had national lunch week and got to spend lunch with them and test the lovely cafeteria food. I think the exercise is the most important factor, kids are turning towards those video games rather than playing outside like we used to. There has always been fast food and vending machines in high schools, we just had more activities to balance it better. Definitely something to stay vigilant about, thanks for the reminder!
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October 14, 2011 at 3:27 pm
That’s definitely a good point! It’s sad because, at least in Michigan, kids don’t have the gym requirement they used to have in high school. I was sad to see that go as well because it was nice that kids were getting exercise in during the day.
October 14, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I forgot to also say – that is kind of cool that you got to come in during lunch & see what the offerings are that they have for students!
October 14, 2011 at 10:37 am
This is so important! I’m glad schools are making strides to be better…I saw those shows on tv with Jamie Oliver and they were literally serving the same food from when I was in school. And the fact they considered french fries a veggie! Crazy talk. I am hoping to make Nolan’s when he gets older.
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October 14, 2011 at 3:31 pm
The fries as a veggie is so ridiculous. It’s amazing the stretches that they go to sometimes. I’m hoping to make my kids as well with buying here and there. I liked the once a week buying that some of the other commenters mentioned.
October 14, 2011 at 12:41 pm
This is exactly why I still pack my own kids’ lunches every day. Even though they are in middle school.
The statistics are staggering.
And our health care system will not survive if we don’t shift this tide.
So thanks, Elena. This was a great post.
(Also thanks for being an awesome teacher/mom!)
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October 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Thanks, Julie! That’s great that you take the time – even now in middle school. Your kids will definitely appreciate it someday – if they don’t right now. I agree with you that our health care system won’t be able to survive this if we don’t make changes.
Twitter: laurenweber84
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October 14, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Wow, such powerful stats here, Elena! Thanks for sharing. Obviously I’m not in the lunch-making crowd yet, but this is something that is also very near and dear to my heart, too. Love the infographic – shocking, but very necessary for us all to see how staggering this epidemic is.
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October 14, 2011 at 3:29 pm
The infographic stunned me as well. Some of those statistics are just so very sad. I’m not in the lunch crowd yet either – but I definitely have some thoughts on it once I am there.
Twitter: TheDanaK
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October 14, 2011 at 3:00 pm
The infants & soda stat makes me cringe. I don’t even drink soft drinks. The thought of a baby drinking it is terrible.
Mom always packed my lunch in elementary school. I was super picky. I pretty much stopped eating lunch when she stopped packing it in middle school. Not exactly healthier, by any means. I grew up snacking on fruits & veggies. I love a good cake or pie, but we rarely have sweets in the house. I think part of our “sweet tooth” cravings are developed during childhood.
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October 14, 2011 at 3:28 pm
That fact was horrible! I would agree with you on that. I am not a sweet food person at all because my Dad was a dentist and we didn’t have it in the house because of that reason.
Unfortunately though – I’m a chipaholic. That’s my problem!
October 15, 2011 at 9:42 am
This is crazy.
In Canada a lot of our health guidelines for schools are changing for the better.
I’m so glad you posted this.
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October 18, 2011 at 8:20 pm
That’s great that things are changing for the better in Canada. Hope it wears off on us as well!
Twitter: literalmom
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October 16, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Truly disturbing. Both of my kids do good lunch choices. My 4 year old’s montessori has a very strict nutrition policy. Some parents hate it, but I love it because it helps reinforce the habits early on.
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October 18, 2011 at 8:20 pm
That’s great! I have heard that about Montessori – I think it all does depend on the school that you’re looking at.