Nutrition 2011: School Lunches

I applaud the President and Mrs. Obama, as well as their Administration for initiating change in child nutrition programs, which will show great changes in school lunches.  The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 will allow low-income children to be exposed to healthier foods, as well as have the opportunity to participate in better eating.  I understand new agendas and ideas are not perfect or fool proof; however, some initial concerns of mine are that we are making drastic changes in the child's diet. 

Although, I am 100% on board in regard to providing children with healthier food options, I believe as any individual it takes time to transition to a new habit or food.  I am sure we are going to see a mixture of reactions to the new school lunch menus, some children will feel at home, as they are already eating whole grain foods or another healthy food, while other children might get the case of neophobia and entirely protest participation in eating "healthy food" because they are not familiar with whole grains, skim milk, and/or jicima.  

I feel children need time and tricky ways to be exposed to foods, so that they are more accepting to the new food.  I believe we should start offering whole grains gradually, such as mixing half of whole wheat pasta and half of white pasta with marina sauce so that children may develop a taste for a more advance flavor.  Another idea could be to add vegetables to foods they already enjoy eating such as meat loaf or spaghetti and meatballs, but hide the vegetables by pureeing them and adding them into the entree. 

For more information on a sample of the new lunch menu:
   http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/cnr_chart.pdf

Healthy Tip of the Day: When working with kids, be creative... make foods into shapes, faces, add a variety of colors, and give them time to adjust to new foods and offer the food more than once.  Also, allow your child to be included in the meal making process, such as allowing them to plan the meal, go shopping with you for the food, and/or cooking the food, usually this will help your picky eater to start to let his or her guard down about new foods. 

President Obama and Mrs. Obama (2) Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5lUWRIBXrU