Monday, March 28, 2011

Food for Thought

On the New York Times' facebook feed, there has been a lot of discussion about this article:
Philadelphia School Battles Students’ Bad Eating Habits, on Campus and Off .   So many people contended that good nutrition starts at home and it should be the parent's job to make sure that their children are eating healthier foods.  I have no problem with educating kids and parents on healthier foods.  I get fliers home all of the time about what my child has learned in school about healthy eating and exercise.  Our doctor, also, gives us lots of information about healthy eating and asks what my child has been eating and how much he exercises.  The Times' article talked about groups of parents going to neighborhood bodegas and asking that they not sell chips and sodas to kids for breakfast.  Can you imagine teaching a group of children who had Doritos and Pepsi for breakfast?  What if you got them the next period, after they had come down from their sugar high?

The schools, however, can also help a great deal.  Let's not forget that many children receive school lunches and breakfasts.  That's 2 out of 3 meals not eaten in the home.  Sometimes what is served in schools is there because of corporate lobbying by particular manufacturers of food, or by what is convenient for staff to make.  With a few simple changes, children could be getting meals in school that could help their brains grow and learn.  Jamie Oliver has helped to reform the British school system's school lunch program, and partners with parents to help them feed their kids healthy foods.

I know I've been out of touch on this blog for quite a while.  I'm trying to improve it and add to it.  If you have some ideas about schools and healthy eating, please let me know!

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