February
1995
Healthy
Diet for Students in Grades Pre-Kindergarten to Twelve
By Sheila Schwartz, EdD.
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“For the first time in almost fifty years, the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed new regulations
to update and improve school lunch meals. The changes aim to bring school
meals in line with the 1990 Dietary Guidelines for Americas, a move
that Agriculture Secretary Ellen Haas calls long overdue,” according
to the Vegetarian Resource Group (Vegetarian Journal, Nov/Dec.
1994, p.7). The proposed changes will require schools to keep the fat
content of meals to a maximum of 30% of calories, with not more than
10% saturated fat.
This new menu will, hopefully, increase the number of legumes, grains,
fruits and vegetables served to students. Current law requires that
whole milk be offered to students. Low-fat milk, soy milk and fruit
juices can, however, be offered as an option. Fortified and unfortified
soy may become a more prevalent part of the school menu. The powerful
meat and dairy lobbies will likely urge for continued prominent use
of their “products.” Students and parents need to become
more aware of healthy food choices. Food service directors need to be
supported in the development of low-fat menus that students will actually
eat and enjoy. It is with that in mind, that a “Healthy Diet Essay
Contest” has been designed for New York City students.
Students are encouraged to research and write about the value of increased
consumption of legumes, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. They are
to understand the importance of avoiding the consumption of a lot of
fat, sugar, salt and junk food. According to EarthSave, “Westerners
are eating a diet containing excessive amounts of protein, saturated
fat, cholesterol, pesticides and not enough fiber.” This diet
is leading to many health problems and is not good for the environment.
Younger students might write about why they enjoy eating these foods
and make accompanying illustrations in a picture book. Older students
are encouraged to critically research information on diet provided by
a broad continuum of organizations. For additional information on the
“Healthy Diet Essay Contest” write Humane Education Committee,
P.O. Box 445, New York, NY 10028 or call (718) 797-2925.
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