Cafeteria Lunches

Cafeteria lunches play a huge role in the daily life of elementary, middle, and high school students. When I was in school a typical lunch consisted of pizza, carrots, and milk. Across the country school lunches are becoming healthier. New federal guidelines aim to provide healthier school lunches and curb the nation's childhood obesity epidemic. Among the changes are more fresh fruits and vegetables. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires school lunch programs to serve healthier food: fewer calories and starches, and more fruits and vegetables. There has also been a calorie limit put on the schools menu. It's 550 to 650 for kindergarten through fifth graders, 600 to 700 for middle schoolers, and 750 to 850 for high schoolers. I think this is a good change for schools, and has the students best interests at mind. I believe these limits should be stricter for younger students and ease up through middle school and high school. The new guidelines include, students are required to take larger servings of fruits and vegetables. More variety of fruits and vegetables will be offered. At least half the grains served must be whole-grain. By July 2014, schools must serve 100

percent whole grains. Meat and meat alternative requirements have been reduced. Elementary students are required to have 8-10 ounces a week, middle school students 9-10 ounces and high school students 10 to 12 ounces. Milk must be fat free or 1 percent. Flavored milks must be fat free. These guidelines I believe are good for reducing childhood obesity, but I also think larger portions need to be given to high schoolers to keep them from being hungry. As you get older, one should become more aware of what is good for you and what your body needs. It is not fair to some high schoolers to put a calorie ban on the amount of food they can eat. High schoolers are complaining most about the new healthy lunches. A high school linebacker weighing 250 pounds need more