School lunches in the U.S.
Unhealthy school lunches are a contribution to obesity and other weight problems in children across the nation. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, about a third of kids and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. Even if the government regulates the number of calories a child’s school lunch it still has sodium, fat, and sugar. At this rate every 1-2 kids will be obese by 2020.
School lunches around America are said to be no better- or even worse than fast food chain resteraunts. Processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt have become a mainstay of lunches in schools across America. Experts say these unhealthy school lunches are a contributing factor to the childhood obesity epidemic.
How can you help?
Risks
If you wish to change the school lunch program at your school theres lots of things you could do.
You could complain to your school lunch provider, suggest new ideas (like using food from local gardens) and spread the word! Spreading the word is very important because the people who dont eat school lunches often dont realize how bad it really is. Another thing you need to do if you are fighting for a better school lunch is not give up. If money is an issue at your school, consider taking it into your own hands to rasie money by doing fundraisers.
Results of a better school lunch
A change in school lunches has the potential to benefit children in so many different ways. When children don’t eat a healthy lunch, it’s harder for them to concentrate at school and to find the energy for after school activities. They’re also more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks later in the afternoon. By offering a healthy school lunch, your child will get the energy they needs to power through the afternoon. Also, one thrid of your childs daily calories come for lunch, so wouldn't you want those calories to have plenty of nutrients?