How can school lunches be improved?

How can school lunches be improved?

Here are seven ways to improve your school’s lunch program:

1. Provide Options For Those With Dietary Restrictions. Source: pexels.com.
2. Get Recipe Planning Support.
3. Reduce Animal Product Options In Favor Of Plant-Based Options.
4. Source It Locally.
5. Cultivate A School Garden.
6. Make It From Scratch.
7. Ask Your Students!

Why do school lunches need to be improved?

School lunch is critical to student health and well-being, especially for low-income students—and ensures that students have nutrition they need throughout the day to learn. Research shows that receiving free or reduced-price school lunches reduces food insecurity, obesity rates, and poor health.

How can I improve my cafeteria?

Put on monthly cafeteria activities that allow students to try new foods and provide feedback on what they would like to see in the school meals. Try a smoothie station, around the world fruit and vegetable stand, meat alternative tastings, and other fun and healthy activities.

Should school lunches have more options?

Improved Nutrition Students who eat school lunch are more likely to consume more fruits, vegetables and milk than those who don’t participate. School lunches provide up to 30 percent of the fruits and vegetables consumed by students, according to a study published in “The Journal of School Health” in October 2010.

Why school lunches are bad for you?

Effects of poor nutrition from school lunches go beyond weight gain. A child who eats too much fat, sugar, sodium or processed food and too few vitamins and minerals is likely to develop a higher risk over time for several chronic health problems.

Are school foods healthy?

Research shows that students who participate in the school meal programs consume more whole grains, milk, fruits, and vegetables during meal times and have better overall diet quality, than nonparticipants.

Why should school canteens be healthy?

School canteens have an important role to play in providing healthy food and drink choices for students. A healthy school canteen supports a ‘whole-of-school’ approach to student health and wellbeing, and reinforces healthy eating messages taught in the classroom.

What can I give my child for lunch?

BACK TO SCHOOL KIDS LUNCH IDEAS:

• OPTION #1. Turkey + Cheddar Roll-up. Fresh Berries.
• OPTION #2. Hummus. Pita Bread.
• OPTION #3. Cheese Quesadilla. Guacamole.
• OPTION #4. Deli Meat + Cheese Kabobs. Red Pepper Slices.
• OPTION #5. Hard Boiled Eggs.
• OPTION #6. Pasta Salad.
• OPTION #7. Almond Butter + Jelly (or PB +J)
• OPTION #8. Crackers.