What French Kids Eat For School Lunch Puts American Lunches To Shame
It’s a shocking statistic that everyone should be talking about, 1 in every 3 kids in the United States is overweight or obese. What on earth could American children be eating to substantiate this scary statistic?
This was the question which fueled author Rebeca Plantier’s inquiry into the school lunch programs of the French in her article, What French Kids Eat For School Lunch (It Puts Americans To Shame!). She wanted to know why French kids weren’t fat, and discovered some interesting truths when she compared their school lunches.
What Are French Kids Eating?
Two months in advance, the cantine management staff work alongside a certified dietician to develop a menu that is cautious of sugar intake as well as being sure to include a balanced intake of protein, complex carbs, fruits and vegetables.
Another key difference in French school lunches is that all food is prepared fresh in house. That means no pre-packaged macaroni, pizza, or fruit. All mashed potatoes are mashed in house, all soups are prepared daily. Most processed or prepacked foods contain toxic preservatives or additives which contribute to obesity and other health issues, issues that American children are currently facing. Read more about that HERE.
Where Is The Food Coming From
All of the meats, fruits and vegetables are locally sourced. Although it has not yet become an every day occurrence, the cantine management has implemented organic meals once a month. The only drink offered in school is filtered tap water. Compare this with the array of sugary drinks loaded with high-fructose corn syrup available in American cafeterias, and the obesity crisis begins to make a lot more sense.
Below are pictures of the weekly menu in a French school lunch program. There are only 4 lunches pictured because children do not attend school on Wednesdays in France (follow suit rest of the world?).
