School Lunches

[Dragonfly_34]

I heard this on the news this morning and thought it was interesting given the recent discussion here about school lunches.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/...ry?id=17324285

[Maria1985]

I'm sure Michelle would say let them eat cake....er, vegetables

[HM]

Given what I saw when I ate lunch at my children's school years ago, the problem likely is them not eating everything on their plate. I watched all the kids sitting around me pick at their food and eat only one or two elements of their lunches. Usually the veggies got passed over.

[DopeyDame]

Originally Posted by HM

Given what I saw when I ate lunch at my children's school years ago, the problem likely is them not eating everything on their plate. I watched all the kids sitting around me pick at their food and eat only one or two elements of their lunches. Usually the veggies got passed over.

I suspect that's the real reason most of the kids feel hungry - they aren't actually eating all their lunch. Plus, if they are used to eating 1000+ calroies of pizza and french fries, then I'm sure it is a different feeling for them.

[DISvirgin1]

I'm a child care provider who is on the food program, very similar to school lunche program. Let me tell you, most of what I serve goes in the trash (and it's not my cooking! ) The kids will not eat most veggies, fruits, or the main course. They will eat any bread/grain, and ask for more...
Another parent was complaining that her child is hungry at school, but her child refuses to eat any vegetables. So she packs her lunch full of junk that she will eat

[mjkacmom]

My elementary school children refuse to buy lunch, because it's so gross. They will eat healthy at home, but healthy her is edible healthy. My teens have open lunch, and never eat in anyway.

I think 800 calories would be okay, if it was all eaten. However, I doubt most of it is. I remember the cafeteria at college (decades ago), and the freshmen 15 brought on by cheese fries and the ice cream bar. I ate very healthy at home (fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, beef and chicken prepared well and healthy), but not at school, where the healthier options were "yucky." I never ate a canned vegetable in my life.

[Colleen27]

Originally Posted by HM

Given what I saw when I ate lunch at my children's school years ago, the problem likely is them not eating everything on their plate. I watched all the kids sitting around me pick at their food and eat only one or two elements of their lunches. Usually the veggies got passed over.

Exactly. I'm hearing friends complain about their kids being hungry, but those are the same parents I've heard complain time and again about how their kids don't like any veggies other than maybe canned corn or raw carrots with ranch. Of course they're hungry, because they're eating the entree and throwing out all the rest.

I volunteer in the lunch room at my girls' school once a week. Today, I watched a young man, 7th grade I think, pick each and every shred of lettuce and tomato off of his taco, eat the meat & cheese with a fork, and throw out the whole wheat tortilla along with his black beans & rice and the carrot sticks that were his only selection (they have to choose one, but can have up to four) from the fruit & veggie bar. I'm sure he'll be starving by the end of the day. But from that same lunch program, my 5'8", 177# 8th grade football player has no problem getting full - because he eats the whole taco, the beans & rice and all four of his fruit & veggie selections.

So what is the solution? Do we decide having full bellies is worth serving junk/kid food without regard to calories or nutrition? Or do we keep offering healthy meals and trust that kids will eventually try some of these "weird" (different) items rather than go hungry?

Personally, I think it is far too soon to make any judgments as to success or failure of the new standards - the program isn't even a month old in much of the country, and at most two months old in the earliest starting regions. Kids generally need to be exposed to new foods multiple times before they accept them. If this is still a problem in May, then it is time to rethink how to go about changing youth diets.

[Coconut36]

Originally Posted by Colleen27

Exactly. I'm hearing friends complain about their kids being hungry, but those are the same parents I've heard complain time and again about how their kids don't like any veggies other than maybe canned corn or raw carrots with ranch. Of course they're hungry, because they're eating the entree and throwing out all the rest.

I volunteer in the lunch room at my girls' school once a week. Today, I watched a young man, 7th grade I think, pick each and every shred of lettuce and tomato off of his taco, eat the meat & cheese with a fork, and throw out the whole wheat tortilla along with his black beans & rice and the carrot sticks that were his only selection (they have to choose one, but can have up to four) from the fruit & veggie bar. I'm sure he'll be starving by the end of the day. But from that same lunch program, my 5'8", 177# 8th grade football player has no problem getting full - because he eats the whole taco, the beans & rice and all four of his fruit & veggie selections.

So what is the solution? Do we decide having full bellies is worth serving junk/kid food without regard to calories or nutrition? Or do we keep offering healthy meals and trust that kids will eventually try some of these "weird" (different) items rather than go hungry?

Personally, I think it is far too soon to make any judgments as to success or failure of the new standards - the program isn't even a month old in much of the country, and at most two months old in the earliest starting regions. Kids generally need to be exposed to new foods multiple times before they accept them. If this is still a problem in May, then it is time to rethink how to go about changing youth diets.

I agree..especially in regards to them being hungry not because it isn't "enough" (because the reality is that it is plenty) but because they eat 1-2 items and toss the rest.

I personally can't get behind the mentality that since junk is all they want/know we should give them junk for the sake of a fully belly. Repeated exposure is key to kids trying and eating new foods and I also agree it is way too early to call things a failure (I also imagine it doesn't help when they go home and Mom and Dad pat them on the back and say "your right..how dare they give you carrots and whole grain tortillas..that's gross" and just enable their complaints and lack of willingness to try.

[Aneille]

My big complaint is that next year my children can not purchase a chocolate milk because it is no longer on the al a carte menu. If they buy lunch, they can have a chocolate milk.

My oldest can't purchase lunch because she has a celiac disease.

My petty complaint of the day.

I don't know exactly how much my kids eat when at school, but I do know I feed them a huge second lunch when they get home.

[Coconut36]

Originally Posted by Aneille

My big complaint is that next year my children can not purchase a chocolate milk because it is no longer on the al a carte menu. If they buy lunch, they can have a chocolate milk.

My oldest can't purchase lunch because she has a celiac disease.

My petty complaint of the day.

I don't know exactly how much my kids eat when at school, but I do know I feed them a huge second lunch when they get home.

So you feed them a 2nd lunch and then proceed to feed them dinner a few hours later? I can't see why a "huge 2nd lunch" could possibly be needed when dinner would likely be served within a few hours of returning home (here kids get out at 3:30..we eat dinner by 5:30-6pm at the latest). Maybe I am misunderstanding your school start/lunch/stop and dinner times?

[Aneille]

Oh and my big complaint....

Changing the food isn't the only answer. They need to educate the kids on healthy food choices. Telling them a few times isn't good enough either. They need to put into practice with food logs etc and help them understand good food choices.

But that will not happen in most schools as it will take away valuable time away from reading, math etc..

So I don't see this as really helping anything. Its a band aid.

[mjkacmom]

Originally Posted by Aneille

My big complaint is that next year my children can not purchase a chocolate milk because it is no longer on the al a carte menu. If they buy lunch, they can have a chocolate milk.

My oldest can't purchase lunch because she has a celiac disease.

My petty complaint of the day.

I don't know exactly how much my kids eat when at school, but I do know I feed them a huge second lunch when they get home.

I have this same vent - no meal, no milk. I have one with celiac, so of course she never buys. It would be nice to send her in with some gf cereal, and have her be able to at least buy milk. There is no milk for sale in the elementary school.

[ADisneyQueen]

It's funny b/c the girl in the photo has more on her tray than our kids are getting at their cafeterias.

[familyoffive]

Our local newspapers covered this story last week. The average complaint was from people receiving free or subsidized lunches. Most were complaining that the kids were hungry after school or before after-school activities, creating an increase in home grocery budgets. Many of those who complained expressed a desire that an afternoon snack/dessert should be provided. Imagine having to plan snacks for your own kids.

[HM]

I also wondered about kids that don't get food at home, and you know there a bunch of those kids. Yes, they would be hungry if all they got was 800 calories a day.