Food Fight !... the Prequel

Dear Mr. President,



Diabetes and child obesity are two conditions amongst kids and teenagers growing at an alarming rate. Aware of how kids and teenagers in public schools are exposed to high fat, high salt and high sugar foods due to limited choices of healthier, wholesome foods, I believe it is of the essence to make radical changes in the diet provided to them in schools; changes that are vital to eradicate said conditions from their learning environment.

First, most kids and teenagers in public schools are not getting the most out of the nourishment provided by the school cafeterias. Cheeseburgers, French fires, pizza, beef patties and cold cut sandwiches are at the top of meal choices when recess time comes around. In addition to the perfect recipe for clogged arteries just mentioned, a lot of public school are now equipped with state of the art vending machines that facilitate right of entry to a variety of corn based-sugared up choices. From potato chips (which are deep fried), corn chips, Snickers, Butterfingers, Twix, Milky Way, buttered popcorn to a wide diversity of sodas and “tropical juices” (the only tropical thing in them being the picture of a palm tree and a beach ball on the container). All of these “appealing” choices are just ways to increase the risk for these kids to become a part of the growing percentage of the already diabetic and obese kids. To prevent kids from such a perilous fate, the meals at the cafeteria can be replaced by fresh, low salt, low sugar organic home cooked-like meals that include more veggies, protein and high in fiber. Another way to promote healthy nutrition amongst these young adults would be to replace all the “appealing” choices from the vending machines with fruit trail mixes, granola bars, mixed nuts, baked potato chips and fresh tuna and turkey sandwiches on whole wheat toast. As far as the beverages go, sodas can be replaced with water, green tea (Arizona is the best) and sports drinks such as Gatorade.

Students spend an immense quantity of time in school, from the first grade to the twelve grade. And as the saying goes, “ignorance is bliss” a great amount of kids and teenagers go through most of their scholastic lives being badly informed about the ingredients their foods contain and how eating poorly can affect their health and lifestyles. Thus, leading to an early start in what can be a life conflicted with a lot of food related illnesses (kids diagnosed with diabetes can start using insulin every day as young as 5 years of age). It is of the utmost importance to offer them limitless choices of healthy, organic foods as well as it is to inform them as early as possible in their academic lives the consequences of what not eating healthy are. It isn’t enough just to give them, the right most balanced nourishment physically, but also mentally. And in doing so, creating school programs, seminar and even classes (for both, students and parents) that can distill deep a sense and need for better nutrition and living

Lastly, after being in school, eating “gourmet meals” and being surrounded by vending machines filled with salty snacks and fructose based beverages for 6 to 7 hours a day and only spending an average of 45 minutes in physical ed (some schools do it one to three times a week), the average student goes home to plop in the couch, plays video games, watches T.V. and probably continues to consume more unhealthy goods (get it?). According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention posted on USA TODAY in August 21, 2005; about 31% of children ages 6 to 19 are overweight or at risk of becoming so. On top of changing the food given in schools and adding more self aware classes and programs about having a good sustenance, it is also fundamental for these kids and teenagers to receive a better quality of physical education, creating a well structured set of diverse activities to better meet the needs of the students into leading healthier lives. It will be the school’s compliment to a great, physical education. Also, parents should partake in encouraging their offsprings into joining after school activities and sport. Maybe, instead of getting their children the latest game console or video game, they should look into getting them different kind of devices, ones that will have persuade them move other part of their bodies, not just their thumb.

It is not secret that eating healthy is a key element in having a healthy lasting life. So let’s etch this knowledge into the mind of our young by providing them with better, healthier choices food and better education about the food they eat as well as a more active curriculum. Like Desiderius Erasmus said “In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king” as long as one can see, one can lead the rest.