Using Fresh Local and Organic Items in the National School Lunch Program | Fat Kids Gone Wild
The unhealthy facts about the school lunch program
Would you believe that that meat that the meat your child consumes at Mcdonalds or Jack In the Box is more likely to be safe than the meat provided to them by the school lunch program?
Standards set by McDonalds, KFC and other major fast food chains include a refusal to purchase meat from 'spent chickens", those chickens that are unable to lay eggs anymore usually due to deficiencies and poor health.
Studies by USA Today show that fast food chains test their product at 10 times teh frequency than the meat that is purchases by the USDA for school lunch programs.
One would imagine that our childrens safety and diet are well managed by the government and the USDA, but those who believe such are unaware of the USDA's complicity in Big Meat and the lack of accountability the office has to the people of the USA.
Poor Nutrition and Calorie overload within the school lunch program
Recent studies by the Institute of Medicine show that school lunches do not follow the governments own guidelines as they relate to the Food Guide Pyramid and lunches have a very high quantity of calories, the caloric content of these meals is not weighted heavily in the current standards.
The massive epidemic of childhood obesity has some tangible roots in the food our children eat in schools. Poor nutritional guidelines outline the meals available and the rise of corporate sponsorships in our schools has led to a very poor and low nutrition availability of snacks to our children.
Luckily, in 2010 , the Obama Administration and related governmental bodies have plans in store for overhauling both the free lunch program and the menu items available in school lunches for all children. it has been suggested that a caloric ceiling should be applied to meal choices.
A growing and healthy pattern of incorporating vegetarian and organic options into the school lunch plan is developing. Local Farmers markets and lesser known healthy brands are beginning to make their way into out nations cafeterias. But certainly not at a fast enough rate.
At this time teh best way to manage a healthy diet for your children is to create their meals at home and not expect the school system to be babysitters and nutritionists, but this attitude doesnt help the millions of kids who rely on the free lunch program to provide their nutrition.
1 in 3 American Children suffer from obesity
Schools struggle to increase nutrition
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