What French Kids Eat For School Lunch Puts American Lunches To Shame

What on earth could American children be eating to substantiate this scary statistic? This was the question which fueled author Rebeca Plantier’s inquiry into the school lunch programs of the French in her article, What French Kids Eat For School Lunch (It Puts Americans To Shame!). She wanted to know why French kids weren’t fat, and discovered some interesting truths when she compared their school lunches. Two months in advance, the cantine management staff work alongside a certified dietician to develop a menu that is cautious of sugar intake as well as being sure to include a balanced intake of protein, complex carbs, fruits and vegetables. Another key difference in French school lunches is that all food is prepared fresh in house. That means no pre-packaged macaroni, pizza, or fruit. All mashed potatoes are mashed in house, all soups are prepared daily. Most processed or prepacked foods contain toxic preservatives or additives which contribute to obesity and other health issues, issues that American children are currently facing. Read more about that HERE. All of the meats, fruits and vegetables are locally sourced. Although it has not yet become an every day occurrence, the cantine management has implemented organic meals once a month.

The only drink offered in school is filtered tap water. Compare this with the array of sugary drinks loaded with high-fructose corn syrup available in American cafeterias, and the obesity crisis begins to make a lot more sense. Below are pictures of the weekly menu in a French school lunch program.

There are only 4 lunches pictured because children do not attend school on Wednesdays in France (follow suit rest of the world?). First course: Cucumber and tomato salad Main course: Veal marinated with mushrooms, broccoli, cheese Dessert: Apple tart First course: Cabbage and tomato salad Main course: Roast beef, potatoes, baked tomatoes with herbs, cheese Dessert: Kiwi First course: Tabouleh (made with bulgur) Main course: Sausages, zucchini Dessert: Ice cream, apple First course: Potato and pickle salad Main course: Breaded fish, cauliflower, cheese Dessert: Peach Photos of food: Carine Duflos Perhaps the most interesting difference between the French and American school lunch-time dining experience comes down to how they eat their lunches. Plantier’s observation is fascinating, Below are pictures taken from the website American Lunch Room, a website which publishes pictures of cafeteria lunches across America.

The difference is apparent. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jackson, Georgia Bronx, New York Bronx, New York Bronx, New York Chicago, IL The difference between American and French lunches is shameful to say the least. Innocent children across America are literally being fattened and poisoned by the system and not enough people are talking about it.

The issue is more than just a health issue, it’s a social, educational and political issue just the same. Not only are parents unable to afford proper nutritious food for their children, leaving their kids’ diets up to the budget-stricken schools, but parents are also uneducated about the real implications of improper nutrition. It’s time we do something about this issue. If your child is a part of lunch program, find out exactly what they are eating and demand change from your school board. Take it to the next level and contact your local, provincial/state, or federal elected officials and put the pressure on them to offer more nutritious whole foods in their programs. If your child’s lunches are packed at home, try adding in some sort of fruit or green smoothie to add an extra punch of nutrient density. Making this issue a topic of discussion with family and friends will help spread awareness and save the children who are unwillingly suffering from obesity, type II diabetes, and other unnecessary health-related diseases. If you want your eyes opened, check out the documentaries, Fed Up, Forks Over Knives, and Fat Sick Nearly Dead for fantastic conversation starters around diet and nutrition. .

Read the full article at the original website

References:

• http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
• http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14845/what-french-kids-eat-for-school-lunch-it-puts-americans-to-shame.html?utm_campaign=recommendation&utm_medium=popular&utm_source=home
• http://americanlunchroom.wordpress.com/
• http://fedupmovie.com/
• http://www.forksoverknives.com/
• http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/