Junk Food Junkies
Published January 22, 2007 by CabledSheep
Warning - much venting ahead. It’s really good to see an article indicating that kids are more open to healthier food choices, and that schools are trying to make lunches better. But there’s something about all of this that still really bugs me. A hot dog is not a healthy food choice. And while I appreciate that schools are using whole-wheat buns and whole-wheat pizza crust, what is the point? Are they really teaching kids how to eat healthy meals, or are they just reinforcing the idea of junk food? Do kids really understand that the pizza they get at lunch is any different than the one they get at a pizza parlor (except that the school lunch one probably doesn’t taste as good)? Shouldn’t they be learning that pizza is not really a healthy choice? I’m not saying it’s wrong to eat it at all, in fact I had some myself last night. But that’s a treat - it’s not how I normally eat.
It seems to me that if you give kids hot dogs, tacos, pizza, and other “fast food” type items, even if they’re made “healthier”, all you’re teaching them is that’s the kind of food they should eat on a regular basis. And they’ll just go out to the restaurants and get the non-healthy versions, because they don’t know the difference. I know that the schools claim that kids won’t eat the food otherwise. Is that what parents should do? Just say, “Oh well, Johnny won’t eat anything but french fries and ice cream, so that’s what I give him”. Can you say “enabling”? If they’re not learning proper nutrition at home or at school, where are they going to get it? And even this article says that kids actually ARE eating carrots and apples, when a few years ago you’d just hear how “kids wouldn’t eat them”. I don’t even want to get into all of the crap in the vending machines, or the justification that if the kids can’t get candy at school, they’ll just go out at lunch and get it somewhere else. Bullshit. The schools just want the money they get from all of those nice little vending machines. Wouldn’t it be nice if schools would provide the kind of meals that people SHOULD be eating, so that they can learn what a real meal should be like? Maybe they could even offer occasional lunchtime voluntary seminars/classes/demonstrations. Local farmers talking about the benefits of fresh vegetables, and providing information about Community Supported Agriculture programs. Maybe an individual food item that’s in season could be highlighted - for example, give a session on green beans, and how you can prepare them in a simple and healthy manner. What herbs can be used for seasoning, etc. Nutritionists talking about what they should and shouldn’t be eating, and why. Maybe even some little cooking demonstrations with simple, nutritious ingredients (complete with recipes for the kids to take home to their parents). I’m sure there are many free resources for this type of thing. Even if only a few kids attend, wouldn’t that be a start? Maybe they can help educate their own parents.
And don’t get me started on how the soybean industry is pushing soy substitutes as a cheaper, lower-fat protein alternative for school lunches. Especially highly-processed TVP.
Whew! I feel much better now.
Filed under Venting, Food and Drink
Cabled Sheep lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she enjoys knitting and munching veggies out of the garden.
I totally agree with you!
Fast food, junk food, and prepared foods dominate many people’s diet. It really is terrible. Educating children and parents is a great solution to improve people’s nutrition.
I recently signed up for a CSA share for this spring/summer/fall. I’m really looking forward to supporting a local farm AND getting farm fresh organic produce and flowers each week.
This website was a great help in finding farms in my area — http://www.localharvest.org/csa
I don’t actually mind the pizza on the menu. AS long as it isn’t made greasy it is a good source of calcium which I otherwise worry about my daughter getting enough of.
Having said that, in general my daughter won’t buy lunch. It isn’t because of cost (but ouch that too considering what you get); it is because she doesn’t like a lot of junky food. No french fries or other fried things for her, no processed meats, lots of veggies (broccoli is a favorite).
I think the key is presenting good food as normal at home. Then the junk food is simply not as appealing.
I agree, I hate that there is so much crap constantly presented to kids. It is really the parents’ responsibility to make sure kids know how to and do eat healthy, but if you aren’t educated or don’t care to be, even bad things can seem like good choices the way they are marketed.
Is there something wrong with soy that I don’t know about? I thought it was a good product…
One of my own favorite rants…
The high school my kids go to removed all soda from their vending machines and replaced it with….get this…energy drinks! Yes, energy drinks! What moron thought of that? I won’t buy those things for my kids when they are with me, but they can get them out of the machines at school with their lunch money! Energy drinks? I’d rather they had soda!
Janet
AMEN, SISTER!
I agree!! The Government over here is changing the regulations on what school canteens are allowed to sell, with the emphasis being on healthy choices, but they still sell pizzas and pies and some soft drinks.
My kids occasionally get money to spend at their canteens but it’s only for a treat ‘cos we always send them with their lunch.
You said it. Why is this even still an issue today? Sadly and unbelievably, it is.