USDA New School Lunch Guidelines

[Drastic]

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ConsumerNews/usda-announce-school-lunch-guidelines/story?id=12603193

For the first time ever, the USDA has outlined maximum calorie counts for school lunches. Might not seem like a huge deal, but given:

1) When so many WWII recruits were malnourished, the school lunch program was started.
and
2) Kids consume more than half their calories at school.

all I can say is it's about time.

[ASPD]

I think these are really great news for USA residents...

I remember how impressed i was over something i saw in one documentary, exploring the issues caused by fast food industry - I think it was either "SuperSize me" or "Food inc" - where they showed a school where were studying mainly "problematic" children; i.e. kids being expelled from other places due to aggressive behavior. In that school, they resorted to a catering supplier which provides only fresh prepared and healthy food, so on the menu there were no fries, no snacks, not even soda, only water in the vending machines. Now the amazing thing was that after changing the menu the school management reported a distinct change in their students behavior...they stopped being so angry after all.

Now i'm not saying that anyone who has anger issues can eat a salad and make them go away But this case is certainly very indicative on how food can affect your body and make you the person you are in all ways

[Travoli]

>all I can say is it's about time.
here here!  Indeed.  Glad to hear that.
Maybe it'll reduce the number of type 2 diabetic children also.

[agerhart]

About time!

These menus are affecting more than just the students.

"He started changing some habits at home. Sometimes when we go shopping, he goes 'no, no, no - that's not healthy,'" Josefina Floriano, the mother of a first grade student, said of her son's reaction to the menu changes.

[eurotrash]

My oldest is 5.  From when she started nursery at 3 they were taught healthy eating.  In fact even at all the baby and toddler clubs she went to they got raisins and apples for snacks.

Even the school headed paper has a "Healthy School" logo on it.  You are advised not to give your children sweets in their snacks whilst at School.

When my wife first started coming over here in 1999 she was amazed at how thin everyone was.  Now about 12 years later, she is amazed at how fat so many people have become in such a short time.

On a Friday or Saturday night in the city centre, it is amazing how many women with accents from all over the UK are wobbling around like the michelin man with skirts that barely cover the first fat fold.

[ukgimp]

Where do you live ET?

[eurotrash]

Edinburgh

mick g posted this on Facebook a few days ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGtDPG4UfI&feature=related

[Rumbas]

That's a good move for sure. Butter fingers and snow balls is not good nutrition.

We've had some long discussions in the media lately wether kindergartens and primary schools should supply the lunch or the kids should bring their own.

Personally I prefer an arrangement where they will get their lunch from the school/kindergarten. Mainly because spending time preparing the lunch could be used better in the morning. Secondly we're pretty sure they get a good diverse meal every day - which was one of the reasons the issue came up. A lot of the "challenged" kids didn't get proper lunch and usually some cake, candy, white bread etc.

In my kids kindergarten they have a cook who prepares lunch and other stuff for the kids every day and the kids love it, they get to help prepare it and we know they'll be fed right. So far it's been up to each kindergarten to decide if they want to spend the money on more staff for the kids or maybe hire someone to cook for the kids. Our place choose the cook which is awesome imo.

However with the economy being bad, schools merge, jobs are cut and heath is at stake. We pride in having a great system, but it's wobbly these days and we can't afford it anymore.

[grnidone]

I honestly believe that sodas should have a warning label on them similar to liquor and cigs.  The level of sugar from high fructose corn syrup is insane.

[littleman]

Robert H. Lustig blames the increase in obesity on sugar/HFCS consumption, if you have an hour to kill its worth a watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM