What’s for Lunch?
Perhaps one of the aspects of school that high school students think least about daily is what is served for lunch. While some of us look forward to pizza day or enjoy the panini press, it’s not common knowledge that public schools must adhere to federal nutrition standards. That’s right, the government ensures we get at least some nutritional value from our lunches, and that we don’t get too much of what can make us unhealthy.
Don’t Get Salty
Let’s find out if our school lunches are worth their salt. In fact, the government has a guideline for how much sodium, on average, a lunch can contain. The number of milligrams varies by age group, with students placed into groups of K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website states that “school meals offered to each age/grade group must meet, on average over the school week, the sodium limits specified…” For grades 9-12, the limit that is in place until June 30, 2027, is less than or equal to 1,280 mg. That limit changes effective July 1, 2027, when the sodium limit drops by 200 mg to 1,080 mg.
How Much Do We Get?
In addition to sodium limits, the USDA sets weekly limits for the amount of food in each of the food groups is available for students. For example, as high schoolers, we should have five cups of fruits and five cups of vegetables. Vegetables are broken down by subgroups like dark green, red/orange, starchy, etc. There are also amounts for grains (10-12 ounces), meats and meat alternatives (10-12 ounces), and fluid milk cups (5). Additionally, there are dietary restrictions that must be implemented. For example, there is a minimum of 750 calories and a maximum of 850 calories. As a percentage of total calories, 10 percent or less can come from saturated fat. Additionally, as of July 1, 2027, 10 percent of calories can come from added sugars.
So What Does It All Mean?
All of these data points may seem silly. In fact, some of you might be saying, “Yeah, I don’t like school lunches (or order them), so why does this matter?” It matters since not everyone is able to bring a lunch to school. There are families with food insecurity, so having access to food with the proper nutrition is important so that students have the energy to learn. Also, it isn’t all that easy to pick out the right foods and meals to serve. According to the University of California, Davis, “Meal planning for schools is a very complicated process. Menus need to cater to a wide range of tastes and restrictions, like peanut allergies. Schools also have a limited budget when it comes to feeding students.”
What’s Your Take?
While I am someone who doesn’t ever buy school lunch, I’d love to hear what you think. If you buy school lunch, have you considered whether you feel you are getting the proper nutrition? Does the food provide you with the right amount of energy to get you through the day? If you don’t buy lunch, what sort of foods do you like to bring? I enjoy bringing items like yogurt.
Whether you get school lunch or not, it is good to know that the government researches the types of food and the nutritional value in those foods that they serve. So next time you get hot lunch, take a moment to think of all the factors that go into what’s on your plate!
