Food in Schools, Part Deux

[ajasfolks2]

I think we're far enough away from this site now that I might include this old link where many of us participated in discussion and debate as to food in schools and the "safe treats" practice:



http://www.peanutallergy.com/boards/i-am-not-sending-in-safe-treats

[ajasfolks2]

Not to be outdone -- Mfamom's middle school math teacher must have a Pi / Pie day!

Link to that thread:

Pi Day

[CMdeux]

I think we're far enough away from this site now that I might include this old link where many of us participated in discussion and debate as to food in schools and the "safe treats" practice:



http://www.peanutallergy.com/boards/i-am-not-sending-in-safe-treats

Silent monks singing... seems appropriate for this particular event.  Yes, I said EVENT.

More like epiphany.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU

(Amazingly, no food seems to have been involved in this high-school performance, either... which was also.... INCLUSIVE.     )

[ajasfolks2]

4-page doc from CDC addressing healthy food in schools and fundraiser/rewards:


http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mih/pdf/approach6.pdf

[ajasfolks2]

from May 2012

California is one of several states that have sought to reduce childhood obesity by targeting junk food in schools. A decade ago it became the first state to ban the sale of soft drinks in grade schools, and it later enacted a similar ban in high schools. Since 2007, the state has also enforced nutrition standards for “competitive foods” in schools, the snacks and foods that are not included in meal plans but that students can get on school grounds — from vending machines, for example. California law limits the amount of fat, sugar and calories that can be found in these foods.

Bans on School Junk Food Pay Off in California
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/bans-on-school-junk-food-pay-off-in-california/

[ajasfolks2]

Blog post -- appears to be Nov 2012.

http://www.naturalemama.com/candy-rewards-should-schools-ban-edible-treats-and-reward-systems/

[ajasfolks2]

Sugar, not fat, exposed as deadly villain in obesity epidemic
It's addictive and toxic, like a drug, and we need to wean ourselves off it, says US doctor

Sarah Boseley, health editor

The Guardian, Wednesday 20 March 2013 11.59 EDT

Sugar – given to children by adults, lacing our breakfast cereals and a major part of our fizzy drinks – is the real villain in the obesity epidemic, and not fat as people used to think, according to a leading US doctor who is taking on governments and the food industry.

Dr Robert Lustig, who was this month in London and Oxford for a series of talks about his research, likens sugar to controlled drugs. Cocaine and heroin are deadly because they are addictive and toxic – and so is sugar, he says. "We need to wean ourselves off. We need to de-sweeten our lives. We need to make sugar a treat, not a diet staple," he said.

More:




http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/20/sugar-deadly-obesity-epidemic


   

[twinturbo]

You know all those eat-your-way to understanding culture methods so popular in school? Well we're going to teach some kids with an iPad and an app--no food. Maybe bring in some clothing, and do something novel like interact with them instead of feeding.

[ajasfolks2]

Yup!! Make something with hands along the lines of that culture's artwork or other special crafts, clothing, etc.

Esp WRT history, understand about what foods were center to their culture and why . . . but it doesn't have to devolve into an excuse for a food fest "party".


Otherwise, I'll just show up with a large lump of lard for most events, TYVM!   

[ajasfolks2]

4-page doc from CDC addressing healthy food in schools and fundraiser/rewards:


http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mih/pdf/approach6.pdf

Related:

Health Impact Assessment
National Nutrition Standards for a la Carte Foods and Beverages Sold in Schools

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/schooled_in_sports/Kids%20Safe%20HIA.pdf

[ajasfolks2]

More related -- USDA page:

USDA Proposes Standards to Provide Healthy Food Options in Schools
 
New "Smart Snacks in School" proposal to ensure vending machines, snack bars include healthy choices
 
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2013
 

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/02/0019.xml

[ajasfolks2]

One more:


USDA Proposes Standards to Provide Healthy Food Options in Schools
Questions and Answers
February 1, 2013

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/020113-qas.pdf

[ajasfolks2]

Seemed as good a place as any for this quote:


Old adage among the rangers at Yellowstone: "Once a bear is hooked on garbage, there's no cure."

[ajasfolks2]

It's sad to me that this list of "Food in Schools" continues to have add-ons!!

"Use of food" permission slip for science

[twinturbo]

Right now this says it all for me.

Classroom nutrition education is meaningless if contradicted by rewarding kids with candy, soft drinks and other sweets. The classroom message is that kids need to eat healthy foods to feel good and learn better. However, when they behave well or perform their best, kids are rewarded with unhealthy food, like candy and cookies.

Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, sums it up this way: "Rewarding children with unhealthy foods in school undermines our efforts to teach them about good nutrition. It's like teaching children a lesson on the importance of not smoking, and then handing out ashtrays and lighters to the kids who did the best job listening."

"Rewards can be abused and overused. Too often students come to expect something in return for behavior or good grades when in reality they should
do the behavior for its intrinsic value." Middle School Teacher in Fayette County, Kentucky

Today many kids are overwhelmed with sugary food choices. This increases their chances of obesity and a future of serious health problems once seen almost exclusively in adults, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, and orthopedic problems.
At home, school, and throughout the community kids are offered food as a reward for "good" behavior. Food is an inexpensive, easy choice that can cause immediate short-term behavior changes.

These food rewards are typically "empty calorie" foods-high in fat, sugar and salt with little nutritional value. They provide extra calories and replace healthier food choices.

Using food rewards teaches kids to eat when they aren't hungry and can cause them to develop life- long habits of rewarding or comforting themselves with unhealthy foods. They also may tie food to emotions, such as feelings of accomplishment. "I did a good job, so I deserve to treat myself to a piece of double chocolate cake."

Kids view certain foods that are used as rewards to be better or more valuable than other foods. As a result, they learn to prefer unhealthy foods that are given to them as rewards (e.g. candy, cookies and soft drinks) over healthy foods (e.g. vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products).
Rewarding or punishing kids with food can lead to eating disorders. Withholding food for punishment may stimulate kids to overeat when food is available, because they are afraid they won't have enough to eat later.