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/hungry-kids-grumble-healthy-school-lunches/story?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.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

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

 

[undertheradar]

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.

 

[DopeyDame]

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.

 

[Hannathy]

I think it is ridiculous to think a 17 yr old boy would be filled by 2 nuggets and 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes. That is like 2 bites for a teen. Oh and some vegetables that would be burned off in nothing flat. A teen boy needs 2500 calories plus a day, that makes for some huge snacks to make those calories up with that lunch.


If I read that correct and that high school amounts are the same as elementary that is really nuts.

 

[Starbrite]

My DS16 has been known to buy 2-3 lunches at at time. He says theres just no way to get full from the little bit of food the school gives. And keep in mind, many of these high school kids go straight from school to an acfter school sport or activity. So those 2 fish nuggets are all theyre getting until 5-6pm.

I've seen our school lunches. I know I'd be starving by 2pm!

 

[ccgirl]

In my house we give one serving of things with the exception of fruits and vegetables. Those are unlimited. I tell them if they are hungry enough, eat fruit or drink water. Otherwise, I don't want to hear it. Suck it up buttercup! The other night my son had a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, a handful of pretzels, 3 pieces of watermelon and about 25 grapes. I know not all parents are that way. I watch my SiL cry how my niece is so obese yet offers her nothing nutritional or does not limit her intake because" she is hungry and will only eat certain things". 3 bowls of pasta, and 2 hostess cupcakes does not a nutritional dinner make. Granted, I started the healthy eating early so it comes as second nature. My DD is more challenging as she is not a big fan of fruits and vegetables. I still don't cave into her though. I had the talk about how she has to keep the right fuel in her body to keep it going.

However, even saying that, I agree the portion on that tray is more geared for elementary students. I cannot see that as a proper portion for high school students and probably not even middle school students. I would think 4 - 6 nuggets would be more appropriate.

 

[mhsjax]

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.

Exactly. My kids eat healthy at home. they love broccoli, zucchini and squash, green beens, sweet potatoes. They also love broiled fish and baked or gilled skinless boneless chicken breast. They also, (big shocker here) like their veggies steamed with no cheese sauce like most kids do. BUT, they won't touch a school lunch veggie. To label most of that stuff as food is an insult. And lets be real, I love veggies, but they in no way shape or form fill you up. Fruit, it does for about 30 minutes, after that sugar leave, yes it is natural but it is still sugar, I am hungry.

 

[mhsjax]

In my house we give one serving of things with the exception of fruits and vegetables. Those are unlimited. I tell them if they are hungry enough, eat fruit or drink water. Otherwise, I don't want to hear it. Suck it up buttercup! The other night my son had a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, a handful of pretzels, 3 pieces of watermelon and about 25 grapes. I know not all parents are that way. I watch my SiL cry how my niece is so obese yet offers her nothing nutritional or does not limit her intake because" she is hungry and will only eat certain things". 3 bowls of pasta, and 2 hostess cupcakes does not a nutritional dinner make. Granted, I started the healthy eating early so it comes as second nature. My DD is more challenging as she is not a big fan of fruits and vegetables. I still don't cave into her though. I had the talk about how she has to keep the right fuel in her body to keep it going.

However, even saying that, I agree the portion on that tray is more geared for elementary students. I cannot see that as a proper portion for high school students and probably not even middle school students. I would think 4 - 6 nuggets would be more appropriate.

If I am reading correctly, your DS is 2. You wait until he is a teen. Well one serving for my DS is half a chicken. And fruit, multiple servings, not doing them any favors, it is still sugar. I read an interesting article a while back, it said people believe fruit is so good for you because it is natural, and while it is good for you, people think that they can eat as much as they want. This article also mentioned that back in the old days fruit wasn't as readily available and you had to eat what was in season, limiting the amount you ate. It said that these days people are in fact over doing the fruit.

 

[sunshine1178]

The ideal thing would be to sign each kid up for WeightWatchers and find out how many PoinsPlus they need a day. Then we install tracking software on each child that tells how many points he's consumed, how many activity points he's earned, and how many points he needs to eat for the rest of the day.

 

[mhsjax]

The ideal thing would be to sign each kid up for WeightWatchers and find out how many PoinsPlus they need a day. Then we install tracking software on each child that tells how many points he's consumed, how many activity points he's earned, and how many points he needs to eat for the rest of the day.

I assume you are kidding? If you are, that is funny.

 

[Coconut36]

The portion sizes though are likely more in line with that should be consumed. Portion sizes for adults and kids alike are well known for being far far greater than should be consumed at a given meal and most of these kids bodies are trained to expect an excessive amount of food and calories per meal. It doesn't mean it is needed for growth. Again there are exceptions but even the children who do not eat outside of school are getting a reasonable number of calories for their age/growth needs. Just because food at home is limited doesn't mean they should consume 1000 calorie meals 2x a day either (nor should everyone be fed with the idea they don't eat at home in mind).

In reviewing the standards it appears that the calories per meal does change depending on grade level/age (as it should..a 6 year old does not need the calories a 16 year old needs). So no the high school student isn't getting the same 2 chicken nuggets the 2nd grader might be getting (or the high school student has different/additional foods to account for the 200-300 additional calories)

Lunch:
550-650 (grades K-5)
600-700 (grades 6-8)
750-850 (grades 9-12)

 

[fae]

I'm an adult female and to maintain my weight, I need to eat about 1400-1500 calories a day. I could never imagine eating an 800 calorie lunch. That would be more than half of my daily caloric needs.

 

[Colleen27]

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.

 

[diznygirl]

The sad part is that most people aren't listening to the complaints because they assume all that kids will eat is junk. They will eat good food - if it tastes good. What is so hard to understand about that?