What Children Eat Matters!
After the Food Industry won a
vote in Congress to block the administration from carrying out an earlier
proposal that would have reduced starchy foods like potatoes and prohibited
schools from counting a small amount of tomato paste on a slice of pizza as a
vegetable. Michelle Obama and the Obama Administration took a visit to Parklawn
Elementary School in Virginia, and announced the changes that were going to
take place. Along with serving more greens and fruits in the daily meals served
at school, all milk served must be low fat, and for the first time the rules
set limits on levels of salt and trans fat. They also set a minimum and maximum
calorie intake per day based on student age. However, the government
estimates that the rules will add about $3.2 billion in costs to the program,
about half the cost of the proposed rules that were blocked last year. Everyone
seems to be happy about the new changes and the excitement it will
bring to elementary schools, except the National Potato Council (yes, this is a
real group).
I believe that this is a really
important topic to discuss especially in Elementary schools because it has
gotten out of control. I think it is so easy for parents to just give kids
whatever they want for breakfast and lunch, thinking that they’re young and it
won’t affect them. Obesity can start in children at such a young age. Putting
the money and effort into children’s school lunch can make a huge difference in
their performance. Instead of consuming a high amount of sugar, it can be
replaced with fruits and vegetables and the nutrition they need. Children need
energy throughout the day and practicing healthy eating habits at school will
eventually transfer to their homes and parents will be more likely to cook healthy
meals instead of fast food for dinner. I think it was a great idea to pass a
law like this, and although some people might blow it off as a waste of time, I
think it was very considerate for Michelle Obama and their Administration team
to take the time and visit elementary schools. I hope that all elementary
schools will be able to catch on the new law passed and have children eat a
healthy, solid meal every day. According to the article, “About 32 million
children participate in school meal programs each day. The new rules are a
major component of Mrs. Obama’s campaign to reduce the number of overweight
children through exercise and better nutrition.” This is a positive step in the
right direction of improving children in the education system.
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