The Interview: Weighing in on school lunches.
As children throughout Central Florida head back to school, what should parents know about their kids’ lunches? To talk through options, and why packing a lunch at home may be the best and healthiest thing to do, the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board sought out pediatrician Angela M. Fals, medical director of the Center for Child and Family Wellness at Florida Hospital for Children. For a complete transcript, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/Opinion.
Q: What should parents know about school food options for their kids?
A: School lunches have become extremely challenging for kids to make healthy choices, and for parents who want to help them make those choices. There are unhealthy food options around every corner, even at school. Where to start? First, know what your child is eating. Many parents either don’t know or assume that their child is eating a balanced school lunch, or eating everything they packed them. Plate waste is a real concern, and a lot of the foods children throw away are the things you want them to eat. If your child’s school has a lunch program, get acquainted with it. Review the menu and discuss with the child the meals they like or dislike.
Q: What issues do you see with how children eat once school starts?
A: School schedules and stressors can be challenging for making healthy choices. Many children and teens wake up in a hurry and do not take the time to drink or eat anything, even a glass of water, until after school. A very important habit to get into is to start your day with a cup of water. It’s also good to drink water before snacks and meals throughout the day. Second, skipping meals is a common problem. It slows down metabolism, and causes hunger to become so strong by midafternoon that kids eat larger portions later in the day. Finally, not taking the time to preplan meals and snacks is common. This leads to fast food or unhealthy snacks and drinks from vending machines.
Q: What options do you recommend for parents? Is packing a lunch generally healthier than having a school lunch?
A: Often, food may become a battle of wills, especially if unhealthy or junk food is kept at home. If it’s in the pantry, you have to assume children might choose that food, and this could lead to family arguments and frustration. Consider not keeping desserts and unhealthy snacks or drinks in the home, limiting them to when you eat out or are at parties. School lunches are definitely improving, which is great news. However, packing a lunch is generally a healthier option. We typically recommend packing a balanced lunch with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Stay away from the processed packaged foods and consider packing, for example, a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, mustard and low-fat cheese with a cup of fruit.
Plan meals and snacks for the week or month. Stick to the game plan (consistency is key) and know what foods your child is eating — don’t just assume your child is eating the food packed for them. Talk with them and learn their likes and dislikes.
Q: What can parents and kids do to get and stay on the right track with nutrition?
A: The good news is that there is a lot that parents and kids can do to stay on the right track. First and foremost, make choices as a family. Don’t simply point out the child in the family who may be overweight and limit them, while allowing the other kids to eat all the junk food they want. Health and wellness choices need to be kept in a positive light in children’s and teens’ minds. It should be encouraging, not frustrating, for them to make healthy choices. It should not be about restriction but about balance.