Debunk the Junk: eliminating junk food in public schools

[Intro: I wrote this a couple of days ago during a practice test for the Virginia teachers literacy assessment under a time crunch. It is supposed to address the issue of sodas and junk food at snack machines in schools. The original assignment is on page 38 of www.va.nesinc.com/PDFs/VCLA_Writing_PracticeTest.pdf]

When was the last time you had a headache from eating too much junk food? The fourth of July? The Superbowl? Christmas? It is a common thing when we know we should not eat certain things at holidays, but we see those things on the table, want them, eat them, and then may regret the choice. How would the hours following such events be different if those unhealthy foods were replaced with healthy options?

This is much like the situation facing many of the public schools in our country. When a student gets hungry between classes, there are usually plenty of highly processed foods available, but very few healthy options. Replacing traditional snack machines with healthier options can give students longer attention spans, better habits, and healthier futures.

As an educator, I noticed a significant difference in my students’ behavior when sodas in the school’s drink machines were replaced by flavored waters. There was an overnight change in attention, respect, and involvement. Several hyper students were able to concentrate for longer periods of time. I was surprised to see such a dramatic difference from something that seemed insignificant to me.

Food selection habits, whether good or bad, will follow students throughout the rest of their lives. I have been disheartened to learn that many students nationwide to not have healthy food options at home. This makes the need for offering less-processed foods in school more important. Students learn things best when taught by example. A school that offers soda, chips, and sugar-covered donuts in its vending machines sets a much worse example than a school with flavored water, juices, peanut-butter crackers and fruit. Those students must become more used to healthier selections.

Each student who becomes used to healthier food selections will be more likely to lead a healthy and brighter future. The years that a child is in elementary and secondary schools are crucial years in brain development. This time is also critical in limiting processed sugars and starches to lower the risk of diabetes, obesity, and other complications associated with unhealthy snack choices.

Each school that replaces soda and highly processed foods with healthier drinks and snacks will improve academic performance, instill lasting food-selection habits in students, and offer each child a healthier and brighter future. This should be of critical importance to educators, parents, and taxpayers as we work together for a better world. In doing so, students can avoid that “post-Christmas dinner sugar crash” each day during fourth period.

[Please share your thoughts about snack foods in schools' snack machines below]