The two ladies I am interviewing have many years of experience working with children and families. One as a school lunch coordinator and the other as a program director. I am interested in their view on childhood obesity, but more importantly what they feel their role is in curbing childhood obesity among young children. Through my research, I have found that the early childhood years are most critical in developing and sitting lifestyle habits related to health, nutrition, and exercise.
First Lady Michelle Obama has pushed for healthier changes to the school lunch program across the country. As these changes have been made, the children in many schools are not liking nor are they eating the healthier lunches. I wanted to ask the lunch coordinator about her views on the changes to the lunch program, and what changes she thought still needed to be made. She is not allowed to cook the food with any butter or salt. She cooks the food with basically water. She says that the children are not used to bland food, and simply won't eat it. My thoughts are that this is not what the First Lady meant by healthier food. There are lots of herbs and spices that can be used to season the food that are health for children. In many districts, the food that children receive in school is their only meals of the day. It is important that our children eat at school. But at the same time it is important that they eat healthy meals at school.
What are your thoughts about healthy eating at school? What kinds of healthy seasonings have you used in your own cooking? What healthy recipes do you think the school lunch programs should implement?
Read more about the lunch program debate at:
www.westernjournalism.com/students-join-forces-using-twitter-hashtag-blast-michelle-obamas-role-terrible-lunches/#TBc6ZrvkTKqOy3Gj.97
www.politico.com/story/2014/05/michelle-obama-school-lunch-nutrition-changes-107121.html
Kieya,
ReplyDeleteIn the elementary school where I am a teacher, we watch children throw away enormous amounts of food on a daily basis. Like so many of the issues facing us as early childhood professionals, this one is complex. I understand the emphasis on healthier eating and I support that. I know the people who prepare our school lunches work hard to follow the guidelines they are given. I wonder if the lack of using other healthy kinds of seasoning has to do with money and budgets? I eat lunch with my children everyday so it's easy for me to monitor what they choose and what they eat from what they choose. Most of my students love the fresh fruit and the fresh vegetables, but those are such a small portion of the food available to them.
Good luck with your project!
Gay Barnes
Thanks for your reply Gay! I too eat with my students. The food is nasty to be honest. I believe more attention needs to be focused on developing healthy tasting recipes in my opinion.
DeleteHello Kieya,
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important topic that you have selected in the field of ECE. Children are experiencing growth spurts which can alter their normal eating patterns. Foods that they ate hungrily last month, they won't touch this month. Therefore, having options are very important. I am not certain how elementary and junior high schools are funded, but the lower grades who receive UDSA funding have portion sizes according to the age of the children and extra servings are usually allowable.
I wanted to mention the importance of parent meetings and PTA. Parents can make some changes come to fruition if they would attend and inquire about food taste, portions, and menus. Vigilance is the key.
Thanks for the post. Great job.
Parents are the key to effecting change in the school settings.
Delete