Tag Archives: school food

Chef Ann Cooper says the National School Lunch Program Needs a Makeover

The week of August 10 is Healthy Back to School Week at DietsInReview.com.

It’s a pleasure to have Chef Ann Cooper join us during our Healthy Back to School Week. She’s also known as the Renegade Lunch Lady, as she’s made it her life’s mission to reform the way our children eat, and are fed, at school. She is currently the director of nutrition services for the Berkeley Unified School District, where she has transformed the nutritional quality of food at 16 schools serving 9,000 students. In 2006 she released Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed our Children. At ChefAnn.com, they say “She works to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students — one school lunch at a time.”

Sometime in late 2026 or early 2026, the government will vote to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, which funds the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). I believe that the NSLP is in need of a complete overhaul. The inception of the program was predicated on the fact that there were malnourished children all across the country that couldn’t learn or think. As these same children grew into adulthood, they became a National Security liability, because many of them were too malnourished to become an active part of our armed forces. (more…)

Posted on August 10, 2025 by GuestBlogger

Senators Want to Ban Junk Food From Schools

High school vending machines. (via MSNBC)

Washington is going on the offensive. No, this isn’t another bailout. U.S. Senators want to give candy in vending machines the boot from schools. And I say, it’s about time. Leave it to mom and dad to pack a Snickers if they want to.

A bill was just introduced that would require schools in the U.S. to provide healthier options in order to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.

Senators Tom Harkin and Lisa Murkowski said their bill would allow the U.S. Agriculture Department to establish “common-sense nutrition standards” for food and beverages sold in school vending machines. (more…)

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Jason

School Obesity Program Shows Healthy Promise

An extensive study in Dutch schools has shown promise for reversing the course of childhood obesity. The program, dubbed Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers (DOiT), was run in 10 schools. As a result, teenagers’ consumption of sugar-laden sodas was dropped and body-fat was reduced.

The program specifics included some basic common sense measures: a boost in the students’ exercise levels, and reducing junk food and sugary drinks. The students also had 11 health lessons, and schools were encouraged to increase gym classes and make changes in cafeteria food. (more…)

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Jason

Interview with Mandi Kramer, Eliminated Biggest Loser Week 10

Before the Biggest Loser, Mandi Kramer said she was shy and not entirely happy with her body. Having grown up in a house with a bodybuilding mother, she said her rebellion was leaving the pressures of a perfectly heatlhy family and eating whatever she wanted and dismissing exercise. All of this took its toll, and although Mandi was 263 pounds when she started at the ranch, it still took convincing for her husband to understand why she had to go. Today, she says she’s a stronger, more independent person than she ever was. The new Mandi has a better relationship with her husband, her two young sons, her teammate and sister Aubrey, but most importantly herself.

Hear the interview with Mandi now:

(more…)

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Natalie K

Sasha and Malia Obama’s Healthy School Lunch Menu

obamas

The young daughters of President-Elect Barack Obama will be eating lunches that are healthy and organic at their new school Sidwell-Friends. The lunch menu should be the envy of school cafeterias nationwide. Not only is the food nutritious, it’s stuff kids will actually eat and enjoy. The Obamas are known for eating a lean diet, so it’s possible the quality of food their daughters would be served during the day played a part in their decision.

Sasha Obama, the younger daughter, attends the lower school, where menu items this week included:

Snacks like zucchini bread or apples and cheese
French Dip with Au Jus (more…)

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Natalie K

Don’t Overlook Lunch with Back to School Plans

It’s approaching back to school time, so have you though about your child’s (or children’s) lunch? It’s sad to say, but for the most part our school’s cafeteria food is extremely lagging in terms of providing healthy, nutritious meals. Even more upsetting is the fact that little can be done to improve these meals… simply put, it comes down to budgets and money.

lunch box I do have good news! Packing your child’s lunch can help guarantee your child is receiving a healthy meal that will help them stay focused and be motivated at school. Same rules apply here for your child as they do for you: limit the amount of processed foods (packaged cookies, chips, etc) you provide, pack water, milk, or 100% juice instead of soda, provide plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, and make sandwiches on whole grain/whole wheat bread.

Make it a group effort; you and your child can make the lunches together as part of your nightly routine before bed. That way your child has a say in the foods he/she will eat, you provide education to why eating a healthy diet is important (and lead by example!). It allows for some extra bonding time, and you are laying the foundation for your child’s health and their future food choices.

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Kinsey

School Health Improving, But More To Do

A new report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that U.S. schools are getting better about promoting healthy eating. But improvements are still needed.

“Since the release of the previous SHPPS (School Health Policies and Programs Study) in 2000, America’s schools have made significant progress in removing junk food, offering more physical activity opportunities, and establishing policies that prohibit tobacco use,” CDC Director Dr. Julie L. Gerberding said.

But speaking for those of us who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, we had vending machines, and I know our school lunches weren’t all that nutritious. The only difference I can see is we were more active. We had recess and gym class. And then when we got home (after homework), we played in the yard.

It’s great to improve the food, but it seems that the sedentary lives kids are leading these days is the most troubling thing of all. While the report says the number of schools prohibiting junk food in vending machines has risen from eight percent to 32 percent since 2000, only four percent of elementary schools, eight percent of middle schools and two percent of high schools provided daily physical education for the entire year.

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Jason