Eating Fabulous in School
It’s “Back-to-School” in this month’s b5media Science and Health Channel and Eating Fabulous highlights the latest developments in the naked chef Jamie Oliver’s school healthy dinner campaign in the UK. Here are the changes they have and will be implementing regarding school meals:
In autumn 2006, school dinners in England officially excluded crisps, chocolate, fizzy drinks and ‘low-quality’ meat. School children are now served at least two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal and deep-fried food is restricted to two portions per week.
From September 2007, there will be additional rules in place about what can be sold from school tuck shops and school vending machines. Schools will not be allowed to sell confectionery, savoury snacks (unless they’re free from added salt, sugar or fat) or sweetened drinks. They must also sell a variety of fruit and vegetable products, such as fresh juices, and must provide access to free, fresh water.
From 2008, primary schools will need to stipulate the vitamin content of school meals; secondary schools will need to do so from 2009.
How’s your kid’s canteen menu like? If you’re packing your schoolchild’s lunch, have a look at these pointers and ideas on how to pack a healthy brown bag from the BBC Food. The British Nutrition Foundation also offers a dozen recipes for healthier packed lunches.
we need to start implementing these changes in US schools. what’s the use of nutrition education if we are still stuffing the cafeterias with pizza and burgers along with all the sodas in the vending machines.
btw, what does the “meal makeovers” book have to do with this post. it’s confusing.