When discussing ways we as a school district can become a healthier place, there are many aspects that come to mind. The one that sticks out the most to me is school nutrition.
When deciding the monthly menu for the school cafeteria, it is important to allow the students to get a say in what they are eating. In the article 39 Ways to Improve School Lunches, the author makes the point that students often pick the tastier option, while parents often lean towards the more nutritious option. Having a delicious lunch is just as important as having a healthy, nutritious lunch.
Vanco created a survey which schools can use nationwide, customize it to their wants and needs, and send it out to the recipients. This is a great way to get students involved within the school system and also give them the ability to have a say in what they eat.
School gardens are also becoming popular, and they teach students about the importance of freshly grown produce, and how to use them in healthy recipes. Many think that gardens will only work in southern schools due to the temperature drop in the winter seasons, but with the right resources, gardens can thrive anywhere. For example, a school in Vermont uses indoor tower gardens, which provide students with opportunities to learn about how fresh ingredients are grown.
Another great way to improve school nutrition is to upgrade kids’ classics. Kids tend to have a very specific food palate that prefers meals like pizza, hamburger and french fries, or mac and cheese. In an effort to satisfy the kids needs, schools can still offer those options, but just add a healthier twist to them.
For example, 8 Ways to Improve School Lunches and Keep Kids Happy highlights the fact that there is nothing wrong with a nutritious substitute! They suggest replacing regular fries with oven baked sweet potato fries, or offer different veggie and dip combos throughout the week. These small differences can help encourage a healthy school environment.
There is also a national advocacy, the Food Research and Action Center, which is proud to convene the National Healthy School meals for all coalition. They advocate for building support and passing the nationwide free healthy school meals for all legislation. Healthy School Meals for All discusses the specific acts that the coalition supports in order to improve school nutrition nationwide.
In this article, they highlight the importance of what a healthy school menu can bring. Nutrition is something that people have to keep in mind all throughout their life, and having consistent and accurate messages about good nutrition is key. Finding ways to learn about and practice healthy eating throughout the time children spend at school could also reflect in all aspects of their life, in and out of school.
Not only does a nutritious diet fuel positive energy within the student body, but it also fuels the brain for attentive learning. The article, School Food, discusses the fact that many researchers have proven that improved nutrition in schools lead to an increased focus and attention during learning hours. Improving school nutrition can better the school’s environment as a whole, and later betters student life and drive.
