Food is more than an energy source, it regulates mental-well being. However, studies show that without a properly balanced diet, people are at risk of poor mental and physical health, yet schools are feeding students food that negatively affects focus and mental health.
Schools preach healthy eating and lifestyle, yet turn around and do not serve nutritious or enjoyable foods. At the very least, there should be a variety in snacks handed out, especially at Helix Charter High School. Different types of nutritional chips, fruits and vegetables with sauces would improve students’ energy and motivation- while also improving the school’s atmosphere and overall well-being of the Helix community.
According to Eva Selhub, a writer on Harvard Health Publishing, “Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.” With schools serving frozen pizzas, burritos and hamburgers, the risks of the refined sugars, sodium and carbs that they contain affecting teen’s mental well-being becomes greater. The Helix cafeteria provides salads as an option and according to Madison Carey, a senior at Helix, “the salads seem more appetizing than the rest of the school food.” Along with that, the cafeteria requires that students grab a fruit or juice – items that usually end up in the shared bin. So, although there are healthy options, they aren’t as abundant nor as wanted.
Helix isn’t the only school that claims its food is healthy, as schools within San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) face a similar issue. The issue isn’t that Helix and SDUSD do not serve healthy options, it’s that the veggies, fruits and proteins they provide are not the tastiest or most appealing, especially to teens. Additionally, the main lunch items are typically what one would consider “fast food” or microwaved food. On the SDUSD official website they have a list of some of their main meals, some of the more popular being Chicken Nuggets, Mandarin Chicken, Tater Tots, Hot Dogs and more– which typically come frozen and must be cooked in the microwave or oven in order to eat. Though these items pose as somewhat appetizing, especially towards teens, this does not guarantee that students will opt to eat nutritious snacks alongside as the veggies and fruits served are always the same.
The solution to this issue could be as simple as providing a better variety of snacks and meals with seasoning and sauces to make them more appealing to students. This way, students may actually want to eat broccoli with ranch/salad dressing instead. Through fundraising and loans, school districts could be able to provide better food for students and their overall communities.
