My youngest son (1st grade) brought home his October school lunch menu last week. And since its National School Lunch Week, I decided to take a closer look at what he was eating at school since he loves "hot lunch"  and doesn't like to take his lunch to school. I was very curious and wondered if my child's school was keeping pace with the rest of the nation. 

Wow! What a pleasant surprise!  I noticed many positive changes since last year. Definitely a striking difference.

I was thinking, "Now this is a menu that a dietitian can be proud of!"

Here are the healthy changes that I noticed:

• Brown rice instead of white
• More beans offered
• Flavored milk still offered in fat-free and 1% versions
• Wheat rolls and wheat tortillas offered instead of white.
• Baked chips instead of regular chips
• More fruit in desserts. Desserts seem healthier and are more nutrient dense.
• More salads. Even guacamole this year!
• More sweet potatoes

All of the above changes amount to more fiber, more nutrient dense foods, more whole grains, less fat, and more fruits and vegetables.

Fiber- Beans and high-fiber cereals are the best foods to choose to increase fiber intake. I am pleased beans are included in our school's menu so children can develop a love for them. 

More nutrient dense foods- Foods like sweet potatoes and flavored milk are delicious and nutrient dense. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Flavored milks provide much needed calcium, vitamin D, and protein for growing kids' bodies. If milk is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup that is ok. The body cannot tell the difference between cane sugar and HFCS. Actually, you may find high-fructose corn syrup in other foods in a school cafeteria. No worries...according to the American Dietetic Association, "high fructose corn syrup is nutritionally equivalent to sugar" and "once absorbed into the bloodstream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable." 

Whole Grains- This is awesome! Our school finally made the switch to whole grains by including brown rice and whole grain breads. Whole grains offer more fiber and more vitamins & minerals than refined. Plus kids get to develop a taste for these wholesome grains. 

Less Fat- Kids need fat for healthy development so a fat-free diet is not ideal. It is best to cut fat in foods that are nutrient poor and keep fat in nutritious foods to enhance texture & flavor. Regular chips are a good place to cut fat since they are nutrient poor, so I am pleased to see the addition of baked chips.

More fruits and veggies- The increased variety of fruits and veggies is noteworthy. Kids get to try new vegetables at school that they may not get to try at home. In addition, there are more salads this year and more fruity desserts.  

Has your child's school made positive nutritional changes?  Do your kids eat school food? 

I am a consultant to the Corn Refiners Association (CRA); however, all statements and opinions are my own.