School Lunch

As an educator with a nutrition background, I always found it upsetting that regulating bodies were steadily increasing requirements for students' physical activity during the school day yet still serving calorie dense, fat-laden, low quality lunches in the cafeteria.

But finally, we are looking at respectable, nutritious school lunches. I started working in a new school (new to me) a few months ago, and the cafeteria food there is actually really tasty. I eat the cafeteria food anywhere from 2-5 times each week.

Here are a couple of the lunches I had this week:

Meatball Sub, Potato Smilie Fries, Greens with Ham Bits, Black-Eyed Pea salad, total around 600 calories



Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Baked Cinnamon Apples, Sweet Potato Tots, Sugar Snap Peas, Wheat Roll, total around 400 calories

Before these new school  nutrition regulations took effect, a school lunch was NEVER less than 700 calories. Then most students get milk with their lunches and some purchase snacks as well like chips or ice cream for an additional cost. In that case, a lunch could easily exceed 1000 calories, which is more than half of what a child would require in a day. I think we're on the right track now with the school lunch programs across the country and...

the new regulations are also perfect for helping me out with my New Year's Resolution!