Title: School Lunch In America: Why It’s Unhealthy And How You Can Improve It
Headings: Why School Lunches in America Are Unhealthy and 10 Ways You Can Take Action to Improve Them
Why School Lunches in America Are Unhealthy and 10 Ways You Can Take Action to Improve Them
Summary
The State of School Lunches In America
But School Lunches Can Improve
Why Are School Lunches in America Unhealthy?
Funding
The USDA Foods Program
The School Milk Program
Unhealthy School Vendors
Why the Quality of School Lunches Matters for Students
1) Better Learning and Memory
2) Improved Concentration
3) Better Overall Health
4) Better Behavior and Fewer Problems
5) Better Academic Performance
6) Reducing Obesity
7) Better Habits for the Future
Federal Changes to Make American School Lunches Healthier
Problems Faced by School Lunch Programs
10 Ways You Can Help Improve School Food
Show your support for healthy school lunches in your community.
Be an advocate for healthier food in your school district.
Start a farm-to-school program.
Get a school garden in a school.
Start Meatless Mondays in a school.
Advocate for more plant-based options.
Help increase nutrition education in a school.
Advocate for lunchtimes that are long enough for students to get to eat.
Contact elected officials.
Students can take action, too.
What If School Lunches Around the World Encouraged Healthy Eating Behaviors?
Tell us in the comments:
What are your experiences with school lunch?
How will you take action?
Read Next:
10 revolutionary ways school lunch is improving (plus, healthy school lunch ideas)
Lindsay Oberst
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Content: Here are seven reasons to feed kids healthy, well-balanced meals: 1) Better Learning and Memory
As studies show, children who are hungry or undernourished are unable to focus and have a hard time learning. According to a 2008 study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, diets with high levels of saturated fats may impair learning and memory. Many foods commonly served during school lunch, such as French fries, cheeseburgers, and chicken nuggets, are loaded with saturated fat. When kids get adequate nutrition, they are sick fewer days and don’t need to miss school, which can lead to improved performance. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Health Economics showed that when Greenwich switched from low-budget processed meals towards healthier options, educational outcomes improved and authorized absences fell by 14%. 2) Improved Concentration
Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals are shown to diminish cognitive abilities and mental concentration. Many school lunches are low in the fruits, vegetables, and whole foods that provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals. 3) Better Overall Health
A 2008 study published in the Journal of School Health found that effective school nutrition programs “have the potential to improve student’s diet quality, academic performance, and, over the long term, their health .” 4) Better Behavior and Fewer Problems
A series of studies in the 1980s removed chemical additives and processed food, and reduced levels of sugar, in the diets of more than 8,000 juvenile delinquents in 12 correctional facilities.