Nutrition In Schools - Exercise If You Can

A rise in childhood obesity has lead to more focus in recent years on nutrition in schools. There is not enough nutrition and exercise in schools and there is too much of the wrong kinds of foods available. The foods in school cafeterias tend to be high in fats and sugars and low on nutrients. Nutrition in school should be a top priority for school administrators and school board members and parents can help make it so by demanding more nutritionally sound options in the cafeteria.

One way to counteract the nutritional lags in school lunches is to make sure children get plenty of exercise. One study found that 55% of schools had neither daily physical education nor recess. If students are sitting at their desks doing school work all day, they can't work off the nutritiously empty calories offered in some school cafeterias or those in the junk food vending machines that are present in many schools.

Nutritious foods which can help kids stay alert throughout the school day include fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C, and fish. Lentils, lean beef and yogurt are some other nutritionally sound options which should be offered in school lunches because they can help kids maintain adequate energy levels which are necessary for optimal school performance. Ideally the foods on a school cafeteria's menu should also be low in sodium, fats and added sugar.

The USDA has specific nutritional guidelines for school lunch programs. Even still under 90% of schools in a recent study met even the minimum nutrition guideline requirements. Copies of these nutritional guidelines can be obtained by contacting the USDA or visiting their website. A school district's nutrition department can provide a copy of and information about a particular school's daily lunch menus.

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Martin Smith is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-vitamins-n-supplements.com An online resource for buying all kinds of vitamins and supplements find information Tips and reviews..