One Megacoolmama…

Have you ever really sat down and looked at what kind of food your child’s school is offering to them?  Okay, maybe you have read the menu, but have you ever looked at a list of the ingredients?  You might see that they are eating a chicken patty today for lunch and think, “Ok, it’s chicken.”  But, did you know that there are so many more additives and artificial ingredients in that chicken patty that it would be almost unrecognizable from its list of ingredients?  Check out this ingredient list  from a school in Michigan that uses a menu very similar to the ones found in every school around America.  (scroll down to page 15 to see the ingredients for the chicken patty.)  Did you also know that many of the additives used in this school food  have been correlated to allergic reactions, sensitivities (which can cause mood swings and depression in some), cancer, diabetes and hyperactivity?  Doesn’t it make sense to provide the most healthy options in a school environment rather than this artificial “food” that is so popular is school cafeterias across America today?  How can we make that change?

In steps Jamie Oliver, a British chef who is on a mission to make America’s school lunches healthy!  He has a popular tv program, “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” that features his experiences while trying to implement healthy lunch programs in schools.  On his website, you can sign a petition to help make school lunches healthy.  While you’re there, check out his section on School Food  to see how you can start making a change in your neighborhood!