Friday, October 30, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.
Read more: Health, Optum, School Lunches, Cafeteria, Diet, Kids, Children
By Jane Harrison, R.D., Staff Nutritionist, myOptumHealth
Provided by 
Mary always took the time to knead her own homemade whole-grain bread. Only the best for her children. But when lunchtime rolled around at school, her kids ate the cafeteria food along with their classmates.
Years ago, this may have raised eyebrows in nutrition-conscious parents. But some school lunches are not as unhealthy as they used to be. In fact, many bag lunches brought from home may be less nutritious than what schools are serving now.
Related link: Help Kids Stop Overeating
Why the bad rap?
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves about 30.5 million lunches per day at reduced or no cost to families who meet certain income criteria. Schools involved in the program receive cash plus commodity foods (foods the USDA buys and distributes for free).
But these commodity foods are typically animal products such as pork and beef. They are converted into ready-to-eat processed foods like hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken nuggets. These are the high-fat, high-cholesterol choices you often see on school menus.
Related link: Teens and Extreme Diets: How to Encourage Good Nutrition
School districts have had little choice, though. They need the government handouts to meet strict budgets. It can cost more than twice as much to offer a high-fiber, low-fat veggie burger than a high-fat burger or hot dog.
Positive changes
Rising rates of childhood obesity, coupled with the higher cost of healthier foods, have prompted the federal government to make some changes. Congress authorized a funding increase just for the purchase of fruits and vegetables.
The NSLP also has plans to include more whole grains, such as brown rice, in their menus. Further, there is talk in Congress to offer cash incentives to schools that serve healthy meals low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Related link: Are the Vending Machines at Your Child's School Healthy?
Many school districts also have started to serve fresh fruit, low-fat vegetable side dishes and healthful vegetarian entrées daily. They are finding creative ways to up the health quotient of the school meals, by promoting:
- Low-cost plant-based entrées, such as homemade bean chili and black beans and rice.
- School gardens, which offer students a chance to get involved in growing and harvesting their own food. Evidence also suggests that school gardens can help persuade children to try new kinds of produce.
- Nutrition education programs and other efforts to encourage good eating habits.
Is homemade really better?
The truth is, many parents simply do not think about nutrition when it comes to filling their child's lunch box. A typical brown bag lunch often contains at least one high-fat, salty snack, a sweet dessert, sugary beverage and no fruits or vegetables. In contrast, the main job of the school food service director is to create the most nutritious lunch possible. That includes at least one serving of fruit, a vegetable, milk and a good protein source.
Related link: What's for Lunch? Tips for Packing Healthy School Lunches
School lunches are required to meet one third of a child's daily nutritional needs and follow the federal government's dietary guidelines. School lunches, in fact, may give children more variety and better nutrition than lunches brought from home. A USDA study showed that kids who eat the school lunch consume 29 percent fewer calories from fat and twice as many fruits and vegetables than children who bring a typical "bag lunch."
Research also shows that children who drink milk with lunch are more likely to meet their daily calcium needs. Fruit-flavored beverages and soft drinks - common in bag lunches - provide calories and few, if any, nutrients.
Related link: 10 Tips for Improving Your Child's Diet
The average school lunch is far from perfect, and improving its quality will continue to be a challenge. But for now, don't knock the cafeteria tray until you have taken a good hard look at what you are packing in your child's lunchbox.
Related link: Breakfast Ideas for Kids on the Run
