Having a healthy lunch

By: Janese Watson

School lunches used to be on the unhealthier side. It wasn’t until Obama became President that they finally became healthier. But was it for better or worse? Shakur Watson says, “I love the school lunch and always will.”  Many students would disagree with that statement, because healthy food isn’t always the tastiest thing to have to eat. Research, however, proves that the new school lunches have helped in cost and keeping kids healthy.

The law to change our school lunches originally happened because First Lady Michelle Obama wanted a way to improve the nutritional content of food. America, after all, has a national weight problem, including a continuing rise in childhood obesity. In 2012, one in three American children was overweight or obese. Overweight children may develop diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.

Despite these facts, complaints around the nation have led to call for the repeal of the law, or the option to give schools more flexibility in using it. Senior Tenecia Clemmons says, “I don’t like the new lunches because the healthier it gets the nastier it gets.” Junior Jordan Flugee thinks differently, saying, “I like the change. It’s nice knowing you’re eating healthy and who cares how it tastes.”

The National School Boards Association reported that 83.7 percent of school districts around the country have seen an increase in wasted school lunch food since the law was passed mandating new nutrition rules. Although the lunches come in smaller portions, wheat instead of regular, use less grease, etc., it doesn’t mean you should just not eat at all. If you don’t like the lunches you could always bring your lunch.

Every person has his or her own opinion about the new lunches, but it is important to realize they wouldn’t change our food for no apparent reason.