According to the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, one out of every three children is overweight. (“Stronger Food Will Improve Health.”) With this rate on the rise healthy school lunches and nutrition are becoming critically important. School lunch has had drastic improvements in recent years with the creation of The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released a statement saying “The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act is the most significant investment in the National School Lunch Program in over 30 years” (“Duncan in “President…Law”). To enforce the current standards, making a new menu has been extremely difficult. Teaching cafeteria workers took many hours; it was also costly to show them
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For example, whole grain breads and vegetables such as broccoli are being provided. Whole grain breads contain vitamins such as zinc and broccoli contains vitamin C (“Jackson”). Lunchtime favorites such as low fat milk as well as other dairy products such as yogurt provide children with calcium. Calcium helps promote strong bones and teeth in children (“Calcium”). Iron is also important in a child’s diet. An iron deficiency can cause anemia. Anemia is when an individual’s blood does not contain enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are what distributes oxygen in the body. Iron is found in many foods such as turkey, lean meat, beans, and peas which can all be served during lunch (“Iron). Fiber is a significant part of a child’s diet as well. Fiber can play an essential part in having a healthy digestion system. Fiber is found in many foods such as carrots, apples, oatmeal and brown rice (“Fiber”). Vitamin A is also vital because it helps promote regular development of vision and is key to maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is in Cheddar cheese as well as eggs (“Vitamin A”). Vitamin D helps bones form and prevents illness. Vitamin D is found in milk and some cereals (“Doctors Say Kids Need More Vitamin D”). Vitamin C can help a child maintain healthy skin. Vitamin C is found in tomatoes, strawberries, and oranges (“Vitamin C”). Vitamin K
For example, whole grain breads and vegetables such as broccoli are being provided. Whole grain breads contain vitamins such as zinc and broccoli contains vitamin C (“Jackson”). Lunchtime favorites such as low fat milk as well as other dairy products such as yogurt provide children with calcium. Calcium helps promote strong bones and teeth in children (“Calcium”). Iron is also important in a child’s diet. An iron deficiency can cause anemia. Anemia is when an individual’s blood does not contain enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are what distributes oxygen in the body. Iron is found in many foods such as turkey, lean meat, beans, and peas which can all be served during lunch (“Iron). Fiber is a significant part of a child’s diet as well. Fiber can play an essential part in having a healthy digestion system. Fiber is found in many foods such as carrots, apples, oatmeal and brown rice (“Fiber”). Vitamin A is also vital because it helps promote regular development of vision and is key to maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is in Cheddar cheese as well as eggs (“Vitamin A”). Vitamin D helps bones form and prevents illness. Vitamin D is found in milk and some cereals (“Doctors Say Kids Need More Vitamin D”). Vitamin C can help a child maintain healthy skin. Vitamin C is found in tomatoes, strawberries, and oranges (“Vitamin C”). Vitamin K