Eat Your Peas

I recently heard an interesting podcast of a radio program called "World of Possibilities". The topic was school lunches. We have been made aware in recent years that our children now are served fast food style meals with questionable nutritional value. However, this presentation was about how this trend is being reversed in several large school districts across the nation. This seems to be successful when a comprehensive learning approach is taken. Since many children do not know the names of fresh fruits and vegetables or their sources, they visit farms or markets. In some places they even have a garden. They are taught about making good food choices in a variety of different ways in their regular classroom setting. Most importantly, what they are served in the lunchroom becomes a life changing lesson in itself.

What I see our children eating concerns me. As a former home economist, I understand the importance of good nutrition. I plead guilty to transgressions, but I do make an effort to eat and serve food that is good for the body. However, the statistics quoted by many are alarming for babies born in 2000. One of two African-American and Hispanic children and one of three Caucasian children in the United States will develop diabetes. This may well be the first generation not to outlive their parents. This is something to think about as we eat our Thanksgiving meals. Remember macaroni and cheese is not a vegetable!