Comments on: School Lunch – 1988 and Today

By: Cindy Rowland

Cindy Rowland — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:26:02 +0000

I've got a first grader as well and I've allowed her to get a lunch once or twice a week since she immediately showed an interest. Of course she always goes for the hot dogs and french fries (what can I expect for $2.50??) because she loves them and we rarely have them. I kind of think of it like cake; it's not so bad in moderation.
It is very very sad that school lunch has to be such junk. Hopefully all the media attention will change things sooner rather than later.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:33:43 +0000

When my children were growing up I made my own yogurt overnight. The kids (now adults) still talk about that. And we would put local honey on the yogurt with fresh picked strawberries. As I read this blog, I wonder now that I am older, why did I eat those fried onion rings they had in the cafeteria for lunch today ?????
Hmmmmmm ….will have to get back to those healthier ways !

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:08:23 +0000

I live in TX and am pretty impressed with my daughters elementary school lunch choices. Every day there are two entre options, and then they choose 2 of 3 side dishes and a milk. They also always have a daily vegetarian entre.

Some of the entre choices include: fruit bowl with graham crakers or chicken nuggets; taco salad or hot ham and cheese bagel; salisbury steak with mashed potatoes or chicken and gravy over potatoes; hamburger or vegetable egg roll with panda rice; cheese pizza or baked ziti with beef.

The side dishes include things like: various fruits, broccoli and tomato salad, mixed veggies, corn on the cobb, jello, beans, zucchini with ranch dip, peas.

Of course they have days where niether option seems that great but over all they seem to do well.

By: Doreen

Doreen — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:29:51 +0000

I love the picture…boy did that take me back to exactly the same hair style (maybe even bigger)
My child is in 2nd grade and he takes his own lunch everyday..like yours he doesn't ask to buy lunch. I talk with my kids about food and there nutritional value quite a bit. When they were younger it was whether food was considered "growing food" aka healthy or "non growing food" aka unhealthy. Now that they are older I talk in more detail…e.g.. Vit C to fight germs…protien to build muscle..etc. I also feel kids tend to the same foods you enjoy so being a good example helps guide their choices to the healthier ones.
I'm also a firm believer in moderation..knowing they will shortly be making their own choices and not making "non growing food" such a big deal and mystery.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:19:11 +0000

I let my kids order school lunches a few times a week…my daughter just had a salad and the week before a wrap with fruit. Not all school lunches are horrible, but there are some options that are. Everything in moderation….
Oh and when they get older you may pack the hummus and carrots and apples and organic juice but if all their friends are eating fries and hot dogs… guess what wins out?

By: Joanna Sutter

Joanna Sutter — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:26:07 +0000

I'm pretty sure I drank Tab (diet soda) and ate a pack of cheese and crackers every day for lunch when I was in high school.

If I had kids I would send them to school with a balanced meal...a protein, whole grains, vegetables and/or fruit.

If I knew then what I know now!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:18:29 +0000

When I was in High School we has the option of McDonalds or Taco Bell or the usual bad cafeteria food, and that was only 13 yesrs ago. Completely disappointing. I now make my boyfriend and myself homemade lunches consisting of mostly veggies everyday. It prevents the trip to the vending machine, or the sandwich shop nearby.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:18:06 +0000

By: Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:41:47 +0000

That looks like Jersey hair to me…..
I actual had some really good lunches in my high school. We had a greek woman cooking and boy did we eat well. Gryos, great tossed salads & pasta salads, fresh made sandwiches.I was very lucky my senior year.
But my husband and I bring lunches every day. Not only to eat better but because it can get so costly.
That's great that you are getting good reviews. Keep up the great blogging!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:37:59 +0000

I'm not a parent (yet), but I pack healthy lunches daily! A personal favorite: almond butter and apple on wheat bread - yum! I can't get enough reduced fat string cheese, either. I also like making tuna salad and rather than throwing it on bread, serve with whole grain crackers. Kids love cracker sandwiches, too!

Melissa, thank you for linking my blog to your blog - I'm flattered! NuVal sounds like a wonderful system which can benefit consumers invaluably. I can't wait to see it expand and gain speed in fighting the obesity epidemic.

Keep up the great work and writing!

Nicole