Sep 16, 2024
Now that were a month into the start of the school year, parents are sharing their concerns over school lunches and processed foods.What is put into my children's body is important, said parent Tiffanee Russ.Russ is a mom of five whos concerned about what her kids are eating at school.Of my five, I have three that have been diagnosed with ADHD, so the processed things really hit home to me, said Russ.Shes noticed that some of the items offered for lunch are less nutritious than shed like.I think this is, were going on the second year that they have been allowed to eat the school lunch. And its just probably not my favorite thing, said Russ.Russ would like to see foods with more substance and is concerned about how many processed foods are available to kids.Thats something thats a priority to Julie Begani too, whos also a parent to young children.Theres so much stuff in that ingredient label. For me and in my house, we try and stick to the four and five rule. If theres anything more than four or five ingredients, its probably not something we want to eat, said Begani.Begani works as the Director of Advancement at Hillel Academy in Hillsborough County.ABC Action News visited the school to see how they handle lunch for students.Weve had brisket, we have salmon, we have a whole variety. And really, we emphasize and make sure there is protein, theres vegetable, theres starch, theres fruit so that all of those food groups are nailed, said Begani.Health experts believe this emphasis on nutrition is important because a recent study found that kids who eat ultra-processed foods have a greater risk for cardiometabolic problems like heart attack, stroke and diabetes in adulthood.Were talking about things that have long chemical names with a lot of preservatives, a lot of additives, added food colorings. Those are all things that would be considered ultra-processed foods, said Dr. David Berger, a pediatrician with Wholistic Pediatrics & Family Care.Berger recommends being mindful of what parents pack in their childs lunch box.If they eat food from school, Berger encourages families to teach kids how to make healthy choices.So if theres a baked or a grilled meat as opposed to a fried meat or something like that. Something thats not saturated in all kinds of sauces, that could be important. Choosing fruit as opposed to juice, said Berger.Of course as parents, part of it is us modeling so if our kids see us eating healthy and we explain why were eating it healthy. And were explaining why its important for them to eat healthy, he added.Berger believes adding more whole food to kids' diets will set them up for a healthier future.
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