With the rising obesity rate among children and adolescents, there is growing concern that the school lunches are partly to blame for this growing epidemic. However, it has been found that students who eat meals served through the National School Lunch Program are more likely to be at a healthy weight, states the School Nutrition Association. Most high schools do offer a variety of healthy food alternatives to school lunches for their students.
Meat Alternatives
One way to reduce the amount of calories from saturated fat obtained through school lunches is by selecting chicken or vegetarian alternatives to beef. Many schools serve at least one vegan entree option each day that is free of eggs, meat and dairy, in addition to offering sides of fruit and vegetables that accompany main entrees. Selecting meat-free options such as vegetable and beans soups, fresh salads, fruits and side vegetables can help reduce the amount of saturated fat in high school lunches.
Alternatives To Dairy Milk
Many school districts offer alternatives to dairy milk for free or to purchase such as water, juice or soy milk. Dietitians found that 100 percent of the school districts surveyed in 2008 by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, now offer an alternative to dairy milk, 45 percent serve beverages to students at no additional charge, and 55 percent make nondairy drinks available à la carte.
Fried Foods
Many schools still serve french fries, chicken nuggets, pizza and other breaded foods. However, not all school districts fry the food; many now bake foods instead. School districts are required to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance for fat and saturated fat for each meal. Check with your school to determine whether the food is baked or fried. If pizza is served for lunch, select the meat-free option to reduced the amount of saturated fat.
A La Carte
Most high schools have an a la carte line available in which you might find low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, bran muffins and other healthy alternatives to high school lunches. Select whole-grain food options instead of refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates come from white bread, pasta or rice and pastries and other sugary foods. The healthiest options are usually the least processed options. Many schools offer breakfast to their students, which may be available during lunch time such as oatmeal packets or whole-grain cereals, and would be a good alternative to an unhealthy school lunch.
Member Comments