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Unhealthy Food at School

So the Wake School Health Advisory Council, which is made up of parents, school officials, dietitians and others, wants schools to stop allowing homemade items and unhealthy food items such as lollipops, jelly beans and candy-coated popcorn from being served at class celebrations. Here's the story.

What do you think? Is this a wise recommendation or a case of being a killjoy?

Don't get me started about the quality of school lunches or the amount of bad food that kids get at school - I'm dealing with it at the daycare my daughter goes to.

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annefairleigh's picture
by annefairleigh 1 yr. ago.

I read this article in the paper and was utterly shocked AND appalled at the strange belief people have that somehow terrible, junky food is synonomous with "happy childhood." And the picture of the boy on the front with that hideous, red fake drink in the background...I realize I sound totally militant, but I'm not. We have treats and eat dessert, etc., but it is in my house, where I decide. I think schools have a huge obligation to set a high standard of nutrition and to promote health in every form, in and out of the classroom. Instead, they seem to cater to the lowest of the low: endless amounts of sugar, "juice" drinks that contain almost no juice, and (I witnessed this personally) rewarding well-behaved classes with Cokes. My daughter's school has a strict NO SUGAR policy, which extends to no juice at all, no desserts in lunchboxes (I saw a teacher hand back a package of Fig Newtons to a parent) and while some might chafe at this rigidity, if you come onto our campus, you will be surprised at the utter lack of ANY overweight kids. I mean that. The entire lower school: all 8 grades, plus the kindergarten and preschool. I would complain like mad about your daycare situation, provide my own healthy food for my daughter to eat, and protest, protest, protest. I liked the article, though. I thought it was a good one. If you're wondering why I picked on Fig Newtons, it is because people believe they are a healthy dessert, but the sweetener in them is high-fructose corn syrup.

lilybug's picture
by lilybug 1 yr. ago.

I serve reasonably healthy food at home, so I've never been bothered too much by what they serve at school, since it's not my kids' main source of nutrition (though Coke is WAY over the top in my opinion). But this holiday we spent time with extended family down in Florida, and I have one cousin whose family (wife and one 6yr old child) eat an all organic, vegeterian diet. Their child has NEVER been to a McDonalds. They invited our family for a meal, and even though I LOVE healthy food, I give in to convenience more often than I should with 6 people to feed each night. So I prepped my kids before we went: I explained that their food was a little different than what they are used to eating, and they were to eat what was served with no complaint or so much as a face (I didn't expect them to be rude, but didn't want them to be caught totally off guard) We had homemade hummus wraps with fresh avocado and goddess dressing, carrot sticks and organic dip, and some almond butter sandwiches for whoever wanted them (all organic, heavy grainy bread, etc) and it was all beyond delicious. My kids ate every bite and even my meat and potato hubby LOVED it, and wanted the hummus recipe. The truth is, healthy food is delicious, though it can be more expensive and less convenient. But I came away totally encouraged and inspired to do better!!!!!

slindenf's picture
by slindenf 1 yr. ago.

I have been bringing in food for her to eat at school and making complaints. Some things are improving. And we also eat really healthy at home and she eats a small number of her meals at school so I know the vast majority of what she gets is healthy.

LyseLane's picture
by LyseLane 1 yr. ago.

One of my son's school has a no sugar, no chip policy. It was hard at the beginning, but it's amazing how it makes lunch simple. We have also tried to eliminate the high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oil from our diets. It's even in some brands of so -called whole wheat bread! All of a suddent, the selections at the grocery store become slim unless we go to Whole Foods, which I love, but it is expensive.

A1Mama's picture
by A1Mama 1 yr. ago.

Most of the schools and parents spout a good story: i.e. they know the drill: avoid sugar and preservatives, serve healthy food. BUT...

My favorite story is the day my son had a dentist give a talk in his 3 yr. old preschool class about nutrition. My son proudly brought home a paper talking about how to choose healthy snacks: carrot sticks, raisins, whole grain crackers, fruit, etc. What had the preschool served for snack that day? Donuts.

My next favorite story is listening to my friend complain bitterly about the wholesome, nutritious Thanksgiving dinner she prepared for her toddler who wouldn't eat any of it. Of course, my friend had let her daughter eat a bowlful of M&Ms as her appetizer BEFORE dinner. DUH.

schmitt's picture
by schmitt 10 mon. ago.

According to a survey of more than 200 schools conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and released at a Washington, D.C., news conference in May, 75 percent of drinks and 85 percent of snacks sold via school vending machines were of poor nutritional value. In middle and high school, 70 percent of vending machine beverages sold were sugary drinks such as soda, iced tea and sports drinks, with water making up only 12 percent of beverages offered overall. Also, the majority of milk offered in school vending machines was of the fattier variety. essay , researchpaper and Warming Thesis

ALynne's picture
by ALynne 10 mon. ago.

Oh, that’s just great! Wake School Health Advisory Council dares criticize an unhealthy snack??? Balance people, balance. There nothing wrong with a treat if the child usually gets a healthy lunch. Over the last few years, I have eaten plenty of cafeteria food and when I became pregnant I started packing my own food to work. Ok, these healthy food choices that Wake County provides for students are things like: cheese bread sticks, canned and over cooked broccoli or some other vegetable, a burger surprise since you can’t taste the meat, hot dogs, French fries (at least I think these come from real potatoes), let’s see the chicken nuggets with rubbery parts, oh, and have you ever smelled the spaghetti with meat sauce?? The only thing that I can identify was the fried chicken, which most schools no longer offer after last year’s budget cut. All these items have the potential for being nutritious but no they way they are served in our schools and for sure they are filled with preservatives. Kids are not allowed to heat their leftovers in microwave and now there will be further restrictions. Parents should be free to make of these choices, it’s not like the schools are serving such healthy things.

blog85492's picture
by blog85492 (not verified) 5 mon. ago.

Ya, It is a big problem in almost every school. They don't take enough care for food that they serve for students. They should take more care on it. Thank you for sharing this insightful article. fetal doppler

cars's picture
by cars 5 mon. ago.

The only thing that I can identify was the fried chicken, which most schools no longer offer after last year’s budget cut. And with so many people using cars as a method of transport, people aren't burning off the calories.

Cadydid's picture
by Cadydid 5 mon. ago.

My kids aren't in school (I homeschool), but why can't parents just pack healthy lunches for their kids? Just curious.

lilybug's picture
by lilybug 5 mon. ago.

Many do (I do.) But the concern is the kids on free/reduced lunch that rely on the school for nutrition and are getting totally gyped.

Jordon12's picture
by Jordon12 4 mon. ago.

It depends if it is from the school I think it should be banned. If it from home or from a student's lunchbox it shouldn't be banned. Schools need to teach pupils about how to make healthy choices and what makes a balanced diet. premium acai review

alice123's picture
by alice123 4 mon. ago.

I beleive the solution is quite simple that is parents should do a little effort and prepare some healthy food for their kids as lunch as to avoid all this.custom logo design

Jameshunt's picture
by Jameshunt 3 mon. ago.

According to a survey of more than 200 schools conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and released at a Washington, D.C., news conference in May, 75 percent of drinks and 85 percent of snacks sold via school vending machines were of poor nutritional value. In middle and high school, 70 percent of vending machine beverages sold were sugary drinks such as soda, iced tea and sports drinks, with water making up only 12 percent of beverages offered overall. Also, the majority of milk offered in school vending machines was of the fattier variety.
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Jameshunt's picture
by Jameshunt 3 mon. ago.

In regard to snacks, 80 percent of those available were candy, chips or sweet baked goods, and of the 9,723 total snack slots surveyed, only 26 slots offered a fruit or vegetable, the survey stated. A slot is the individual space inside each vending machine that holds a food or drink item. More than 100 individuals in 24 states researched the contents of vending machines at their local middle and high schools for the survey in the fall of 2003.
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hens's picture
by hens 3 mon. ago.

The majority of vending machine food sold in the nation's middle and high schools has little or no nutritional value, a factor that advocates believe is contributing to skyrocketing child obesity rates.
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Fortunelove's picture
by Fortunelove 3 mon. ago.

Humans are bipedal primates belonging to the species Homo sapiens (Latin: "wise man" or "knowing man") in Hominidae, the great ape family. They are the only surviving member of the genus Homo. Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection, and problem solving. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees the arms for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species.
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Sweetmom123's picture
by Sweetmom123 3 mon. ago.

I have eaten plenty of cafeteria food and when I became pregnant I started packing my own food to work. Ok, these healthy food choices that Wake County provides for students are things like: cheese bread sticks, canned and over cooked broccoli or some other vegetable, a burger surprise since you can’t taste the meat, hot dogs, French fries (at least I think these come from real potatoes), let’s see the chicken nuggets with rubbery parts, oh, and have you ever smelled the spaghetti with meat sauce??
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JenniferMowbray's picture
by JenniferMowbray 3 mon. ago.

All responsible parents  should follow this health advisory council's lead. Some health experts have linked excessive consumption of sugary snacks and treats to diabetes. I am thinking of cooking with a halogen oven at home because it's believed to be healthier, as you can cook without fats or oils.

skylines's picture
by skylines 2 mon. ago.

Most of the food that my school sold are junk food and has little to no nutrition value. However starting last year, they have been removed most of the junk food and replacing them with a lot of healthy food.

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saracrazed's picture
by saracrazed 4 days ago.

As much as it pains me to say this, the school cafeteria does not have the best interest for our children. Not only is the menu expensive, but the food served is hardly nutritious. At the end of the day, it is still a business that's trying to make money first. The welfare of children comes second. That's why I try to prepare a healthy lunch for my kids whenever possible.

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