Chicago school bans homemade lunches, the latest in national food fight

[Tuuvi]

From what I remember of elementary school, homemade lunches were usually healthier, and much better tasting, than cafeteria food. The article mentioned that, so it seems like nothing has changed 10 years later, despite the effort to make school lunch more nutritious.

If the schools want to join the good fight against childhood obesity, they should focus on making their own food better, rather than forcing people to eat it.

[a completely inoffensive name]

If the schools want to join the good fight against childhood obesity, they should focus on making their own food better, rather than forcing people to eat it.

This is the end of the thread.

[Shibumi]

If the schools want to join the good fight against childhood obesity, they should focus on making their own food better, rather than forcing people to eat it.

"Better" - relating to what? More healthy, better taste, fit for the individuals need?

I think one of the main problems is the junk food culture of america. Children who have a choice between pizza and a balanced diet will go for the pizza. I would have done that too when I was a child. So I disagree, the schools should serve healthy meals, and the parents should support this.

I complained a lot about the school lunches in Sweden growing up, with adult eyes though I notice they are not that bad tasting, and very healthy. Granted, Sweden generally have better food now than in the 80's.

Look at children obesity rate between Sweden and America. In Sweden the kids get at least one healthy meal a day with salad on the side and milk to drink, wheras last I visited a American school the kids ate pizza and drank coke. I am sure the American kids were more content with their food and drink choice, but what is really best for the kid?

[a completely inoffensive name]

"Better" - relating to what? More healthy, better taste, fit for the individuals need?

I think one of the main problems is the junk food culture of america. Children who have a choice between pizza and a balanced diet will go for the pizza. I would have done that too when I was a child. So I disagree, the schools should serve healthy meals, and the parents should support this.

I complained a lot about the school lunches in Sweden growing up, with adult eyes though I notice they are not that bad tasting, and very healthy. Granted, Sweden generally have better food now than in the 80's.

Look at children obesity rate between Sweden and America. In Sweden the kids get at least one healthy meal a day with salad on the side and milk to drink, wheras last I visited a American school the kids ate pizza and drank coke. I am sure the American kids were more content with their food and drink choice, but what is really best for the kid?

He is saying that they should serve healthy meals, just that they shouldn't force kids who bring their lunch to eat the school lunch as well.

[Shibumi]

He is saying that they should serve healthy meals, just that they shouldn't force kids who bring their lunch to eat the school lunch as well.

I agree that they should not be forced. However, I do not think encouraging private lunches are a good idea either. School cafeteria should have same rules as any other restaurant, you cant eat food you brought with you. If you want to sit somewhere else and eat home made food, then by all means do. But it is nothing the school should encourage.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I agree that they should not be forced. However, I do not think encouraging private lunches are a good idea either. School cafeteria should have same rules as any other restaurant, you cant eat food you brought with you. If you want to sit somewhere else and eat home made food, then by all means do. But it is nothing the school should encourage.

I don't understand. What would this do other than separate students into "brown-bags" and "trays"? So kids can't eat home brought lunches in the cafeteria....ok?

[Shibumi]

I don't understand. What would this do other than separate students into "brown-bags" and "trays"? So kids can't eat home brought lunches in the cafeteria....ok?

Can you eat home brought lunches in any other type of restaurant?

And yes it would separate students, hopefully making them eat the school lunch if for no other reason than that they want to sit with their friends. You have an obesity problem, why not do something about it?

[a completely inoffensive name]

Can you eat home brought lunches in any other type of restaurant?

And yes it would separate students, hopefully making them eat the school lunch if for no other reason than that they want to sit with their friends. You have an obesity problem, why not do something about it?

Christ man, this is school, not Dr. Drew's obesity rehab center.
A) In many schools students are not required to eat in the cafeteria, at my school you could eat anywhere just as long as you didn't make a mess.
B) Most students who bring lunches from home are wealthy, while most those that rely on school lunches are poor from the article. You are now basically segregating the wealthy from the poor.
C) Students will not care because they are students and will simply swap out parts of their lunch so there isn't one with a noticeable "bag". Hell, just empty the lunch onto a tray and sit right down unless you suggest having security guards watch over them at lunch like a prison.
D) It's a school cafeteria, not a restaurant. it's publicly funded, a restaurant isn't. There are so many differences between a cafeteria and a private restaurant, I can't list them all.
E) The obesity problem is not from school lunches. I know the obesity crisis at an acceptable level and all the stats showed that young kids were the last group to start the upward trend towards obesity. Adults started hitting them high figures before their children.
F) How is social isolation ever an acceptable solution to a social problem? How is ever acceptable to socially isolate a student from his friends?

[Graphic]

If the schools want to join the good fight against childhood obesity, they should focus on making their own food better, rather than forcing people to eat it.

I remember in middle and high school, the staple of the cafeteria food was disgusting square pizza with orange goop dripping from it.