My Daughter's Elementary School Lunches

AprilRenewed · September 2012

In my daughter's first day of school package (she's in 3rd grade), we received a newsletter from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). They've apparently developed monthly Energy Zone articles to go in the monthly parent newsletters.

Anyway, this part is interesting. They've changed the lunches to meet new federal nutrition standards based on the latest nutrition science by the Institute of Medicine and Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

These changes include:

Reduced calories based on the grad of the students
Reduced protein portions for grades K-5
Increased fruits and vegetables
A new requirement that students MUST select one serving of vegetable or fruit with lunch
Limited number of servings of whole grains - rich breads and cereals.
Choice of only fat-free flavored or unflavored milk or 1% low-fat unflavored milk.
Focus on reduced saturated fats and sodium and zero trans fats.

I think this is a good thing, but I was wondering what you guys thought. Part of me doesn't like the government making these decisions, but I recognize that too many parents don't teach their children to eat properly.

On the menu today at her school:

Taco meal and cheese sauce o ncorn tortilla rounds
Taco meat, cheese sauce, baked potato/fruit roll
Hummus Bitable
PB&J

Steamed Green beans
cauliflower w/sugar snap peas
tossed salad w/ chilled pears w/cherry garnish
fresh apple slices

Southwestern spicy chicken salad w/black beans and corn, corn tortilla rounds
Chef salad w/cheese, green peas, corn tortilla rounds

I'm not sure how I feel. I mean...what if a kid needs more protein? Or less? What if he needs the fat from whole milk? What if he just throws away the veggie?

twinmomtwice4 · September 2012

I totally agree with you.

They actually have a cafeteria worker standing at the veggie/fruit bar making the children each take a serving. But most of it gets thrown away. Plus, the fruit is usually diced peaches in syrup which kind of defeats the purpose of kid's eating something healthy since it's loaded with sugar. And the canned corn I'm sure is loaded with sodium.

I let my kids buy hot lunch only 1 day a week and on that day I come to the cafeteria to see what they're eating and bring some fresh fruit for them, along with some string cheese or a hard-boiled egg.

The school lunches aren't bad, necessarily, and I appreciate what the schools are doing to try to improve things but I don't like the idea of the government regulating it so much.

I don't know, I guess I have mixed emotions about it and I can see why it's a necessity since some parents don't know how to educate their children on healthy ways of eating.

SibylDiane · September 2012

I guess I think that if a child has some sort of genetic or other abnormality that makes them require a diet different from what most children need, her parents should meet with the school district's dietician or nutritionist and see if any special accommodations can be made. If that isn't possible, then the parents should pack their child the lunch that she needs.
"The government" is always going to choose what goes into public school provided lunches. It's just whether they choose to feed the children a bunch of crap or a meal that will be nutritious for the vast majority of children, or somewhere in between.

AprilRenewed · September 2012

I'm so mixed about it too.

I remember our school lunches. My mother packed for us because it was cheaper in the long run and much healthier, but one day a week was really greasy pizza, I remember "chicken" patties that were dark meat and fatty, spaghetti with sauce that was almost fluorescent orange, and lots and lots of tater tots. I don't remember ONE vegetable being offered. Not even in high school. Maybe some fruit options, apples and bananas. I think maybe in high school, there was yogurt.

If my daughter's lunch were up to me, I'd pack. But her bio-mom decided she'd rather us all spend an arm and a leg for her to buy. I'm glad she has healthy options and don't really care how it came about.

mlb929 · September 2012

I emailing my kids principal and food services director because my kids have celiac disease. The food services director told my 11 yo he had to have a dr note to request a gluten free option. I called BS on it

Mainly, my kids were diagnosed at 1 and 3 and I rarely take them in and didn't see any reason to take them just to obtain a dr note.

They told me that the new guidelines require them to have a Gluten Free option as well. Which I also found interesting, because I doubt the kitchen staff is trained to properly prepare a true gluten free meal. No gluten in the food yes, but truly gluten safe - doubt it.

I don't view the school lunch program as responsible for feeding my kids safely or nutritionally. Having looked over a few menus, most were not food I would have EVER fed my kids to begin with. I'm glad that someone is looking at it those, the majority of kids in my childrens school are obese.

Blaqk19 · September 2012

Seems great to me! Much better than the unhealthy things I was offered as a child.

perpetual98 · September 2012

My daughter goes to a private school/daycare and about halfway through last school year they stopped serving deserts do to government guidelines. The deserts that they DID serve before that weren't very large and they weren't terribly unhealthy, but my daughter was pretty bummed at the time because she liked the deserts. Go figure.

Oh well, we're headed towards a nanny-state anyway. Might as well get used to it.

SoDamnHungry · September 2012

If a kid has special requirements, the parents should be meeting it, not the school. They can try to work with the school, but a few people with a problem (like being gluten free) shouldn't be reason to change an entire menu or order special food all the time. And schools shouldn't have to police what your kid eats by force feeding him or her veggies. The parents should teach their kid right, and if that doesn't work, feed your kid the right things when they're home and you have more control.

I sympathize with people who have that problem, but it's just not practical to meet everyone's needs.

econut2000 · September 2012

I don't like having the government regulating what we can/cannot do. That being said, since the only regulations are involving the school lunches THEY are serving, as opposed to what the kids bring in from home, I don't think it's a bad idea. As a school they should be responsible for teaching kids how to eat properly - not all kids get nutritious food at home. Of course, canned peaches, corn and peas aren't really the cream of the crop!!

Wonderwoman2677 · September 2012

I think making sure the kids take the fruits/veggies is a good thing, it may help some kids(not all) open up to trying new things. The same kids that aren't eating veggies at home are going to be the ones most likely to toss it out, I would think. I know my kids eat their veggies at school.

Our school system cut out chocolate milk too. It FLOPPED. The white milk tastes really bad in those cardboard containers(I tried it myself). The kids stopped drinking milk at all so the schools brought back chocolate milk.

amytag · September 2012

I think it's great. My daughter is in third grade too, and most days prefers to buy lunch versus pack (we look at the menu and she decides each night before school). Last year we kept running low on money in her lunch account, and I realized it was because she was buying ice cream every.single.day. I'm glad that the school employees have some accountability in helping us teach our children good habits.

Unfortunately also, in our district there are many, many children who qualify for free or reduced meals. Both breakfast and lunch, and sadly enough this is the only food these kids may get all day. I think that public schools should make sure that those meals are nutritious.

Here though, the fruit and veggies options aren't bad - fresh berries, apples, bananas and veggies like steamed broccoli and celery and carrot sticks with fat free dip.

sexikc · September 2012

I cant really say that I like the idea of this....however this is why I just send my child to school with the lunch I pack. I really dont care for her to drink milk at all but when she does I dont care that it is full fat milk. Infact that would be my preference for her..At my child's school tho....the fruit selection is like apple oranges and other whole fruits (unless it was just a lucky day(s) that I have gone to see them) it has never been the syrupy things that used to be in my school lunches lol I do think if it is syrupy peachs that the may as well have more protein or grain. I want my child to eat period. I am not interested in reducing calories of growing active children or the school trying to do it for me.

caseye98 · September 2012

i think I'd rather them have some control than none if it improves a few things and the schools won't take control themselves. I went to lunch with my daughter the other day and in two separate plastic bags, taped at the top, were, smiley tater tots-not fully cooked, sliced oranges that looked like someone had already taken a bite out of each slice them, two little sausage patties that were greasy and 3 little mini pancakes in a microwavable bag that was sealed. I took what I had for lunch and she ate what I brought as it was healthier and definitely better tasting. I was so disappointed that they say they have made changes for the better but as one other mom sitting with me said "this is crap on their trays" and it was. Definitely dissatisfied.

12skipafew99100 · September 2012

Hopefully this is not the only meal they will have all day. You can make up the differences at home.

camckinney · September 2012

Last year our school implemented the "healthier" lunches. The problem is that that changed everything all at once and instead of the kids slowly adjusting, my kids just didn't eat, as well as many other kids. Some of the changes to the food (whole wheat everything or turkey for most meats) the kids thought it all tasted really gross and would just throw it away. Not only am I wasting money for food they are not eating, but my kids are coming home VERY hungry. At this point I'm trying to encourage them to try it, or they beg me to make them a lunch. Which is difficult because they are so picky. I'm curious if these foods they are now supplementing, taste good to the adults?

meg7399 · September 2012

All these people upset about government control. If the government took away control and schools only served what made them money everyone would be up in arms over the fat kids with diabetes. No one is ever happy.

electricmeow · September 2012

I totally agree! I don't think a taco salad with corn chips and a baked potato is considered "eating healthy" I think they care more about saving money and having it look like a balanced meal according to the food pyramid......

You know the schools (government) are going to be all about GMO's and corn...saves them money and that's all that they care for. I for one have developed an allergy to corn (so like...90% of the things in the grocery store and restaurants) so that's all the proof I need that anything served by the government is toxic. Corn allergies are brand new, and look at its timing with the rising GMO's. Okay off my soapbox.

They DO NOT care about your daughter's health though. Please start packing her lunch!!!!

newriana · September 2012

ok first of it is the parents responsibility to teach the children healthy habits, so that by the time they get to school and veggies are offered it would be no big deal to eat it. As for the goverment stepping in to change things around is not all that bad, I dont like that they are stepping in to begin with but if it improves things, then so be it. I don't understand how school can serve lunches that most adults would not even look at. but yet we expect our kids to grow up healthy on this food. I pack lunch everyday, once in a while I will let him eat at school, but when he came home last year telling the "pizza" they had that day was texas toast with spaghetti looking sauce on it, needles to say he has not eatin at school since then. why is salad not an option, with diced ham or boiled egg? with a variety of veggies as option, like a salad bar???

2012asv · September 2012

As much as I like that they are trying to promote healthy eating... it's not realistic. What good is healthy food in the trash? I'm not saying they bring back un healthy food but if they are going to push them to eat well they also have to make it appealing to the kids.

But when it comes down to it, if you want your kid eating a certain way than you have to pack their lunches and raise them to eat that way... you cannot rely on anyone else- let alone the government to teach them that. Kids will not pick up good eating habits in school if their home life is all fried, fast food, and junk.

simplydelish2 · September 2012

I look at the meal selection and I'm not sure they even fit the guidelines. Growing children need more protein to develop both muscle mass and strength. Studies have also shown that you need to drink at least 1% milk in order to have the fat balance to absorb the nutrients. The 1% has a few more calories - but at least they are nutritious calories.

While I hate the government making decisions for parents and children, with the continued rise in childhood obesity, school lunch is a good place to start teaching kids to eat balanced meals - along with a nutrition class! Sometimes parents could use a nutrition class too!

My take - for maximum control of what your kids eat, pack them a lunch and don't send them to school with money to purchase other items.

nikic50 · September 2012

I noticed the changes in the lunches as well. One of my daughters (8th Gr.) is VERY picky & wouldn't choose most of what is on the menu anyway. One of my daughers (5th Gr.) HATES hot lunch so I pack her a lunch EVERY night & try to choose things that are healthier, but she won't hate & throw away anyway. One of my daughters (2nd Gr.) has NEVER even wanted hot lunch so I haven't had to worry about that yet & then she brings home what she doesn't eat & that is her "after school snack". Basically, if I have to pack one lunch, I might as well pack three of them. :ohwell:

daffodilsoup · September 2012

In my daughter's first day of school package (she's in 3rd grade), we received a newsletter from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). They've apparently developed monthly Energy Zone articles to go in the monthly parent newsletters.

Anyway, this part is interesting. They've changed the lunches to meet new federal nutrition standards based on the latest nutrition science by the Institute of Medicine and Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

These changes include:

Reduced calories based on the grad of the students
Reduced protein portions for grades K-5
Increased fruits and vegetables
A new requirement that students MUST select one serving of vegetable or fruit with lunch
Limited number of servings of whole grains - rich breads and cereals.
Choice of only fat-free flavored or unflavored milk or 1% low-fat unflavored milk.
Focus on reduced saturated fats and sodium and zero trans fats.

I think this is a good thing, but I was wondering what you guys thought. Part of me doesn't like the government making these decisions, but I recognize that too many parents don't teach their children to eat properly.

On the menu today at her school:

Taco meal and cheese sauce o ncorn tortilla rounds
Taco meat, cheese sauce, baked potato/fruit roll
Hummus Bitable
PB&J

Steamed Green beans
cauliflower w/sugar snap peas
tossed salad w/ chilled pears w/cherry garnish
fresh apple slices

Southwestern spicy chicken salad w/black beans and corn, corn tortilla rounds
Chef salad w/cheese, green peas, corn tortilla rounds

I'm not sure how I feel. I mean...what if a kid needs more protein? Or less? What if he needs the fat from whole milk? What if he just throws away the veggie?

Then his parents should pack his own lunch.

Good on the school for taking steps to improve nutrition in their cafeteria - my schools NEVER offered sides of salad or veggies, and rarely fresh fruit. Change doesn't happen overnight - it's definitely a process, so good for them for starting the process!

12skipafew99100 · September 2012

I emailing my kids principal and food services director because my kids have celiac disease. The food services director told my 11 yo he had to have a dr note to request a gluten free option. I called BS on it Mainly, my kids were diagnosed at 1 and 3 and I rarely take them in and didn't see any reason to take them just to obtain a dr note.

They told me that the new guidelines require them to have a Gluten Free option as well. Which I also found interesting, because I doubt the kitchen staff is trained to properly prepare a true gluten free meal. No gluten in the food yes, but truly gluten safe - doubt it.

I don't view the school lunch program as responsible for feeding my kids safely or nutritionally. Having looked over a few menus, most were not food I would have EVER fed my kids to begin with. I'm glad that someone is looking at it those, the majority of kids in my childrens school are obese.

If my kids had celiac disease I would not let them eat food from school. As you know cross contamination is such a high risk even if they did have a quality menu fit for these special kids. Packing your own lunch for them really is your only option.

Moonbeamlissie · September 2012

I don't disagree with the lunches. I think kids should be offered the healthy items but if they are not going to eat it there is no sense in it being thrown away. Just have it there in case they want it. Also, what I do not agree with is why they have made this reform of school lunches. They feel that it will help the obesity epidemic that is hitting our young ones. I can not see how this helps. I mean.. if the parents are not going to provide healthy foods then how is any of this going to help? Those same kids that throw the corn away at lunch are probably going to go home and eat a couple bowls of cereal or twinkies etc.... Just my thoughts.

Ruthe8 · September 2012

Part of me doesn't like the government making these decisions

Really, well who would you prefer made the decisions about what to serve at lunch? Should the parents get together and take a vote on the daily menus?

what if a kid needs more protein? Or less? What if he needs the fat from whole milk? What if he just throws away the veggie?

And how would you propose this should be handled? Should they make individual meals according to your preferences?

You aren't being realistic. It's a cafeteria setting, they can't cater to each parent and child's individual needs. If you don't like the options then you pack a lunch.

karrielynn80 · September 2012

While I am nervous of the government making these decisions, esp so broadly. It would appear they are aiming for a lower fat content in diets, i think i'd make sure & up my kids protien (and calories if needs be) but its comforting to know they are making an effort to lower the fats.

personally i think if they' do just that (esp the saturated fats) all the grains & protien wouldn't need to be messed with, but that's just my 2 cents.

mandersatx · September 2012

I see your side of the issue, but as a former teacher in a low-income school, I think providing at least one healthy meal a day for kids through the school is a good thing. Some of my kids didn't get enough to eat at home or subsisted on a diet of Ramen noodles and cereal because they're cheap. The fruits and vegetables being offered at school are the only ones those students saw all day. Most students aren't super athletic in grade school, so a reduction in their protein intake at one meal isn't going to harm their health, especially since it is in line with the new government standards. All this being said, I brought my lunch to school most everyday by junior high and high school because I realized how gross the food was. Certainly as a teacher, I brought my lunch everyday. It made me sad to realize the food I wouldn't touch was the best meal many of my students got all day.

0somuchbetter0 · September 2012

I think it's great they're finally making an effort to serve healthier choices in school cafeterias. Why are people all upset that it's a government program? This knee-jerk anti-government nonsense has got to stop. I just wrote a long political rant but, but on second thought, this isn't the place for it so I deleted it.

Anyway, I'm glad school lunches are healthier. That said, I don't think mass-produced and processed food is healthier than the fresh stuff I can send from home, so we opt out. To the poster whose daughter was disappointed that they stopped serving dessert at school...put a cookie in her backpack, problem solved.

jennieth · September 2012

I understand them trying to improve the diets of kids any way they can. The lunches at my daughters school are so horrible. I have always taught her to eat properly and she refuses to eat their lunch. She calls the fruit in syrup fake fruit. Just recently I was really tired and did not want to make lunch so I told her she was going to have the schools lunch. I figure once would not hurt. Her response......SHE STARTED CRYING!!! I have to sad that is pretty sad.

My younger daughter that just started kinder loves eating the schools lunch because so many of the kids in her class eat it and its fun to her to go pick it. I only let her have it once a week. She comes home that day super hungry. I guess nacho's, canned pineapple and chocolate milk is not filling enough :-)

I feel if schools cannot provide a healthy lunch on the budges they have they should not provide lunch for general students at all. They should only provide for the students that normally qualify for reduced or free since they do need the food and that way they can afford to provide a more nutritious meal.

Crochetluvr · September 2012

I used to plead with my mother to let me buy lunch. But 35 cents was too much money so I brown bagged it most of the time. Tuna or cheese sandwiches. I did usually get a treat for dessert, though.

But school lunches were all made from scratch. Pizza was on fridays (for the kids that couldn't eat meat), baked chicken. Turkey slices, spaghetti with meat sauce, grilled cheese sandwich, macaroni with stewed tomatoes and some other main dishes I don't remember. Veggies were a scoop of mashed potatoes or rice (with gravy) and green beans, peas, corn, spinach or mixed vegetables. Dessert was a square (about 2x2) of cake, a half cup of ice cream, or a cookie or fruit. Drink was milk or chocolate milk. The only thing offered every day was the ice cream and milk. Each day was a different menu and no choices....you got what you got for that day. And I would have LOVED to have eaten a school lunch every day.

Do I think we were deprived because we didn't get a choice? Not at all. If someone didn't like the school lunch that day, the brown bagged it like me. We never starved...and overweight kids were the exception, that's for sure.

Monkeymomma05 · September 2012

I am glad that someone is now holding the schools accountable for the nutrition they are serving our kids. Granted I do believe that all schools are under funded thus making the nutrition choices limited. My daughter is 7 and 'slim' for her age due to her being such a persnickety eater so I pack her lunch every day. There is the random day that she will want to eat out of the cafeteria and it is usually when they have chicken nuggets or pizza so this is rare when I let her do that also.

I remember when I got to high school we finally had a salad bar to choose from instead of the meat like hamburger and the rubbery pizza slice. I say if it helps the kids then I am all for it, still need to put more funding into our school systems though!

My Daughter's Elementary School Lunches

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