Hungry for More
by Kyra Siton and Amanda Ng
Across the nation, schools such as NHP Memorial, are being affected by Michelle Obama’s goal to cut high school obesity rates to 5% by 2020. To do so, the portions of our lunch sizes have been dramatically reduced. At NHP Memorial High School, the lunch portions have been reduced, and the prices have increased by ten cents. Most of the students think that the reduced portions are ridiculous because it does not satisfy their hunger.
“I think that Michelle Obama’s plan is wrong to reduce portion sizes. Many students participate in after school activities, such as sports, and need energy to last them through the day. With smaller portion sizes, students are forced to spend more money than before and buy chips or other foods which are not as healthy for them,” said sophomore Mariam Sheikh.
This year the lunch has been cut back to providing the students with a 1 ounce roll, 1 ounce of meat, 2 ounces fruit, more vegetables, 2% milk, 8 raviolis, and 3 chicken strips.
“Yes, I do have to get extra food, such as double lunches or the unhealthy snacks from the vending machines which defeats the purpose of Michelle Obama’s dietary plans. The portion sizes are too small for growing children,” said Joel Thomas.
Dr. Richard J. Faccio explains that he is in favor of the concept, but not in the way it’s being implemented. He agrees with Michelle Obama’s plan but believes that it’s very hard on the students and it doesn’t help in changing the rate of obesity. Due to the upcoming elections, Mrs. McGovern, head cafeteria manager, believes that Mrs. Obama’s plan immediately comes out as a presidential initiative. She concludes that the plan is unfair due to the special diets of some of the students and the lack of choices. “This plan should be investigated more because every student is different, and we cannot control what the students eat outside of the cafeteria,” she said.
“We should stop serving fried and junk foods in the cafeteria,” said sophomore Gautam Nayyar.
Dr. Faccio suggests that a way fix this obesity problem, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and portion control.
The increased prices have many of the students baffled because of the smaller portions given this year in comparison to last year, which leaves students asking for more.
“It’s not worth the money. Spending $3.00 on lunch is crazy, especially since everyone has to buy double. I think they should have just made healthier decisions on what to serve us, rather than how much to serve us.” said sophomore Sarah Maxwell. “The lunch’s not worth the money. There is less food and more money involved. If they are going to reduce the portion sizes, reducing the price comes hand in hand with that, not the exact opposite. It becomes almost inappropriate for them to ask us for more money for less food because the students are already accustomed to paying a certain amount of money for a certain amount of food, but once you alter that, it’s a tricky game they are trying to play,” said Maxwell.
Regardless of what has happened, a change in the school lunch program is affecting students and has caused controversy in most schools. The continued changes in the lunch program will be an important factor in the future of New Hyde Park Memorial’s lunch program and in the general welfare of students.
“I think that Michelle Obama’s plan is wrong to reduce portion sizes. Many students participate in after school activities, such as sports, and need energy to last them through the day. With smaller portion sizes, students are forced to spend more money than before and buy chips or other foods which are not as healthy for them,” said sophomore Mariam Sheikh.
This year the lunch has been cut back to providing the students with a 1 ounce roll, 1 ounce of meat, 2 ounces fruit, more vegetables, 2% milk, 8 raviolis, and 3 chicken strips.
“Yes, I do have to get extra food, such as double lunches or the unhealthy snacks from the vending machines which defeats the purpose of Michelle Obama’s dietary plans. The portion sizes are too small for growing children,” said Joel Thomas.
Dr. Richard J. Faccio explains that he is in favor of the concept, but not in the way it’s being implemented. He agrees with Michelle Obama’s plan but believes that it’s very hard on the students and it doesn’t help in changing the rate of obesity. Due to the upcoming elections, Mrs. McGovern, head cafeteria manager, believes that Mrs. Obama’s plan immediately comes out as a presidential initiative. She concludes that the plan is unfair due to the special diets of some of the students and the lack of choices. “This plan should be investigated more because every student is different, and we cannot control what the students eat outside of the cafeteria,” she said.
“We should stop serving fried and junk foods in the cafeteria,” said sophomore Gautam Nayyar.
Dr. Faccio suggests that a way fix this obesity problem, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and portion control.
The increased prices have many of the students baffled because of the smaller portions given this year in comparison to last year, which leaves students asking for more.
“It’s not worth the money. Spending $3.00 on lunch is crazy, especially since everyone has to buy double. I think they should have just made healthier decisions on what to serve us, rather than how much to serve us.” said sophomore Sarah Maxwell. “The lunch’s not worth the money. There is less food and more money involved. If they are going to reduce the portion sizes, reducing the price comes hand in hand with that, not the exact opposite. It becomes almost inappropriate for them to ask us for more money for less food because the students are already accustomed to paying a certain amount of money for a certain amount of food, but once you alter that, it’s a tricky game they are trying to play,” said Maxwell.
Regardless of what has happened, a change in the school lunch program is affecting students and has caused controversy in most schools. The continued changes in the lunch program will be an important factor in the future of New Hyde Park Memorial’s lunch program and in the general welfare of students.