Get Junk Foods Out of Our Schools
Ange Khelia Manirakiza
Meghan Boyce
EAE3U1
26 March 2013
Get junk food out of our schools
Millions of students around the world rely on cafeteria food as part of their daily nutrition. That food is the fuel that drives the said students’ minds and bodies, yet the school menu is based on unhealthy processed food. Therefore, these communities and schools ought to develop and deliver healthier food choices to the students.
The fictional comic philosopher, Alfred E. Newman, sums up the situation well: “We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.” (Eecostyle).
The United States food system has changed dramatically and is in now risking health and environmental concerns. The way food is produced has the power to alter the foundations of our lives. Farming chemicals such as pesticides and weed-killers are permanently damaging our soil and water. If so much can go wrong in just one generation, then substantial measures should be taken in order to fix these problems before the next generation inherits something even worse.
The first issue to take in consideration should be school menus. As of late, school lunches do not contain the proper nutriments that students need in order to become healthy, happy, and productive learners. Part of the problem is that cafeteria menus rely on heavily processed food with little nutritional content. Science has proven that nutrition is in direct relation to a student 's ability and willingness to learn. “Processed food tends to bring down people’s energy levels and make them lethargic because they are filled with carbohydrates that spike blood sugar levels. This makes people feel sleepy and less inclined to be active and alert” (TruthNHealth). Such foods also lack most of the necessary vitamins, proteins, fibers, minerals and Omega- 3 fatty acids which are critical to brain function and which are often deficient in students’ diets.
Meghan Boyce
EAE3U1
26 March 2013
Get junk food out of our schools
Millions of students around the world rely on cafeteria food as part of their daily nutrition. That food is the fuel that drives the said students’ minds and bodies, yet the school menu is based on unhealthy processed food. Therefore, these communities and schools ought to develop and deliver healthier food choices to the students.
The fictional comic philosopher, Alfred E. Newman, sums up the situation well: “We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.” (Eecostyle).
The United States food system has changed dramatically and is in now risking health and environmental concerns. The way food is produced has the power to alter the foundations of our lives. Farming chemicals such as pesticides and weed-killers are permanently damaging our soil and water. If so much can go wrong in just one generation, then substantial measures should be taken in order to fix these problems before the next generation inherits something even worse.
The first issue to take in consideration should be school menus. As of late, school lunches do not contain the proper nutriments that students need in order to become healthy, happy, and productive learners. Part of the problem is that cafeteria menus rely on heavily processed food with little nutritional content. Science has proven that nutrition is in direct relation to a student 's ability and willingness to learn. “Processed food tends to bring down people’s energy levels and make them lethargic because they are filled with carbohydrates that spike blood sugar levels. This makes people feel sleepy and less inclined to be active and alert” (TruthNHealth). Such foods also lack most of the necessary vitamins, proteins, fibers, minerals and Omega- 3 fatty acids which are critical to brain function and which are often deficient in students’ diets.
Cited: Dr. Nancy. «5 Negative Effects of Junk Food. » TruthNHealth. 17 Oct. 2011. Truth N Health Blog. 20 March 2013. <www.truthNhealth.com> Newman, Alfred E. «Eecological. » Ethical - Ecological- Conscience – Organic. META. 20 March 2013. <www.Eecostyle.com> Vermont Feed. «A Guide for Using Local Foods in Schools. » VT Feed. January 2007. Vermont: Farm to School. 20 March 2013. <www.vtfeed.org>