How do parents feel about the measures to make school dinners more healthy?

Question

I am of the view that any changes made to improve the health of our children (and therefore our future nation) are positive and should be embarked upon at any cost.
I reacted with total shock when I read a news article today about 2 mothers at a british school who are taking orders over the school fence for burgers and fish and chips, and then delivering them to kids in school. Apparently this is a protest at the new healthier menu.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18092006/344/burger-mothers-halt-school-service.html
I have given my 4 children packed lunches for years to try and encourage healthier eating, prior to the school dinner improvements.
I hadn't ever considered that some parents would hold another view.
I think they're bonkers, and infringing upon the rights of other parents to feed their children healthily. Their only right is to choose the diet of their own children.
What do you think?
I'd like to find out and then email the results to the school suffering the protest.

Answer 1

Its usually the trailer trash type parents who do not understand the benefits of healthy food.

Answer 2

Anything they can do to get my child to eat healthier is okay with me! We've been trying to eat healthy all along at home. I say trying because I read everything and when some new finding comes along we adjust. Some things I thought were healthy at one time turn out not to be later on. Ah well... I should get an A for effort. We are eating from the South Beach Diet plan now, which is not a fad diet, but a nutritious eating plan. My daughter hates it! I know she's getting stuff at school that she shouldn't. They have more than one choice at her school. I keep on talking to her and explaining why she shouldn't eat some things. She tells me that she'd rather wait till she has health problems and then change! Of course she's 12 years old and doesn't have a clue what she's talking about. Which I also point out. (-: So, now that I'm finished chasing rabbits here, I have to say YES! I am happy that they are making changes. Though I have to say, that I haven't seen much change on the school lunch menu yet.

Answer 3

Hi! It's like kids with behavioural problems isn't it? I blame the parents! But, of course, you are absolutely right, any changes made to improve the health of our kids are positive. However, I find that my kids are very well versed in all things healthy already. But I will, of course, take some of the credit for that, but they're obviously learning some of it via school lessons and other media!

My kids refused to go to MacDonalds, KFC etc., years ago. Nowadays THEY TELL ME if the stuff I'm putting in my supermarket trolley is worthy of eating or not. It kills me when my 13 year old asks me 'Do you really NEED those double chocolate chip muffins, Mum?. Do you know there's absolutely nothing of nutritional value in them?', and I sheepishly have to put them back on the shelves!! Well at least my leader at Weightwatchers will be pleased when I next get weighed!!!

The Chippie Mums just need at little more educating. It's ok to go to the chippie once in a while, but this kind of everyday eating is not on, is it?

Best of luck with your campaigning!

Answer 4

I also think the school should require more activity. Have you tried some of the 'healthy' choices in school I have ate lunch at school and it was disgusting. they still serve little smokies but with no BBQ sauces on them. they can't serve Mac and cheese with little smokies anymore because it isn't healthy. My child is not overweight, actually he is underweight so what about them? I think it should be the parents have to help their children with activity and smart choices. Where I think that the choices shouldn't have extremely high fat in it it should be a balance. I think it is disgusting that parents would try to give burgers and fish chips everyday I think that in moderation it is okay. However recently I think they may have gone a little far.

Answer 5

These days there are too many options of junk for a child to choose from and quick fixes for mums out of convenience. When I was younger I had pack lunch but it was fresh and didn't have a sell by date on it.
Jamie Oliver should shut up really as he can brag on about peoples eating habits for kids yet he is happy to take him and his missus out and then leave his missus on his own whilst he gets pi£$£%£^%ed with his mates. So its OK for kids to drink themselves stupid but you've got to eat the right food. I don't agree with the fact that mums are buying there kids stuff and then pushing them through the gates. They should do more with them selves like gat there kids a pack lunch instead of feeding them rubbish. No offence to those who do but giving red bull to a five year old. that's just nuts

Answer 6

I think that a healthy lunch is good, but it's up to the parents to make sure their kids eat healthy. If those parents want to order take out, let them pack them in the morning for their little darlings.

Answer 7

well im 12 did u know that 6/10 kids have moved to pack lunches cause of healthy food but sandwitches always think they r the healthy 1's(bye the way my mum told me about the mothers taking odders from the chip shop i cldnt stomack it at dinner)

Answer 8

I was also disgusted when I saw what was going on with the junk food delivery. Shocking.

It really highlights the parents lack of intelligence, and further undermines the authority of the school.

Absolutely gormless

Answer 9

I feel happy that parents are doing htis as it improves the future health of the nation

Answer 10

my girls take pack lunch every day but its what they want, and its all good food i give them
brown bread with steamed chicken and plenty fruit and water to drink