SHOULD SCHOOL/GOVERMENT AGENTCIES BE REGULATING OUR LUNCHES? ~ May 9/12

Should schools/government agencies be regulating our lunches?

 In some states today schools are not allowed to bring a bagged lunch from home. Why? Schools think that teenagers/children should have a healthy diet and life style. They wish for teenagers/children to make healthier choices instead of eating fast food or other lunch stores that are convenient.  

School/government agencies are worried for students because some parents don't pack anything nutritional in there lunch bags. For example: Pop/soda, candy, chocolate , fried food etc...  Instead the school cafeteria will offer a balanced lunch meal involving all the 4 food groups. Such as vegetables, fruits, whole wheat, whole grain and maybe even organic!  

In the article it stated that the little village academy in Chicago was banned from students bringing home bagged lunches. Every student is required to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. What happens if students don't like the meals that they are given? In other areas in Chicago students get inspected of the lunches they bring. Also like all other schools in the world everyone has a strict policy and food guideline. The school boards are getting more money if students eat in the cafeteria.

Many students are obese because of the lack of exercise and the poor choices of meals they eat. If students that are struggling with there weight eating meals at the cafeteria could be a good idea. If students are athletic and maintain there weight and there eating style it could be a problem. They could think that it's unfair. A lot of us teenagers enjoy eating lunch with their friends out of bounds of school.

My opinion is that we shouldn't allow schools to regulate our lunches. Don't they trust us or our parents? It's our right to make are own choices. I agree that students should eat healthy and have a good healthy eating habit in the future. However we deserve to have a little freedom! Don't you think? Some students might think that the meals that the cafeteria has is nasty! I've noticed that not a lot of teenagers at my school buy lunch at the cafeteria. They usually buy a cookie, muffin or anything else to munch on at break.

I love going out for lunch. I absolutely love eating hot fresh french fries! Mmmmm... I try to maintain my eating diet so I can stay healthy. If teens/children get exercise daily and eat healthy to the best if there ability, I think they will be just fine!!!

My sources:

•  http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2011/04/26/the-state-has-no-place-in-the-lunch-bags-of-a-nation/

• http://www.inhabitots.com/should-public-schools-be-allowed-to-examine-and-regulate-home-packed-lunches/2/