More fruit and veg, less salty, fatty foods, wholegrain options and meat alternatives: sounds exactly like my new diet mandates. But, this list isn't what's on the menu in my kitchen, it's what's revolutionizing American cafeteria foods.
That's right. Pizza, burgers, chicken fingers and fries are no longer the school dining staple. And hey, whose staple are these foods? I always thought that kind of eating was for every once in a while - or when I'm suffering an epic hangover, which I'm pretty certain pre-12th graders aren't (legally).
And First Lady Michelle Obama (FLOTUS), thinks the same way. As part of her lunchroom 'Let's Move!' campaign to curb childhood obesity, she started at the one place every American kid eats at least one meal - school.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 bases food fixes on medical and scientific research showing the startlingly upward trend in childhood obesity. Basically, it's a no-nonsense approach to providing a healthy, well-rounded meal in the middle of a child's day. The only problem - she didn't ask the kids' permission. And they aren't happy.
Turns out they have no interest in getting the maximum benefit out of their school lunches. They just want to eat! Leading their hungry voices is a group of Kansas high schoolers who just released their grips on the hugely viral "We are Hungry" video.
The "We are Young" parody is catchy, pretty well produced, and I'd venture to say a bit tongue in cheek. But the video has become fodder for critics blasting the FLOTUS' lunchroom plan. In particular, the 850 calorie limit to a 9-12th grader's lunch option.
"Think of a high-school boy who works out at least three hours a day, not including farm work," said an employee from said Kansas high school.
Okay, let's do that. His lunch is 850 calories, and I'd think his breakfast and dinner are also in that ballpark. That puts him upwards of 2500 calories a day, not including the odd snack or - gasp! - soda. So, he's probably fine, and sporting a pretty tight six-pack at that. Considering he's in a state where obesity rates are set to hit 62% by 2030, I'd say that high school kid is doing pretty well for himself. What's the problem?
Well, the problem is the same here as it is with any revolution. Kids miss having their say in the lunchroom. School can be a monotonous, even painful experience for adolescents, and their only escape each day is at lunch. I remember my own cafeteria days, and my go-to lunch staple: a six pack of Entenmann's powdered sugar donuts. Ahhh, that sweet, sugary escape!
But that brings me to another hugely important topic that seems to be gobbled up in the lunchroom debate: eating disorders. I'd binge on my the donuts, then purge for the rest of the day, through swim practice, show choir, and homework. It was cool to starve when I was in high school, and not surprisingly. Anorexia is the third most common illness among adolescents.
Whether it's childhood obesity, or eating disorders, the cure begins with education. The FLOTUS' efforts - and the controversy it stirs up - will at least get people learning more about what eating healthy is all about.
Now, if only she could just tackle that damn cafeteria table pecking order thing, the world would be a better place.
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