Some say new standards leave school lunch too bland - WSMV Channel 4
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A new viral video seems to be sparking questions about public school lunches and whether students are getting enough to eat at school.
This year, the federal government changed its rules for school lunches to limit calories and sodium, but some say the new rules don't give kids enough nutrition and others contend the lunches are left too bland.
In the video, produced by a teacher in Kansas, a group of students say the overhauled school lunches don't pack enough energy to get students through the afternoon, especially for student-athletes.
In Metro Nashville Public Schools, officials said it shouldn't be an issue, because the standards also provide a healthy solution for students who may otherwise go hungry.
"The students are allowed to take as many of the dark green vegetables, red-orange vegetables, beans and starchy vegetables, and additional vegetables are allowed as well," said Deborah Walker, with the Metro Schools Food Service Department.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture changes, which were announced in June, are part of the first major overhaul of school meal standards in 15 years.
First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign inspired the changes, designed to improve the health of students. The standards put a calorie range in place and limit sodium and fat.
The new calorie standards are set by grade level:
"So, in that, if they're not picking and choosing those additional vegetables that they're being offered, that's where they lose their calories," Walker said. "We do have to keep in mind that the fat has been removed from the food, because we're also studying saturated fat and we know that that increases cholesterol, clogs up the arteries."
Because of the new standards, a few parents in Nashville have called the district to complain. Some argued the food might be a little bland, as the cuts on butter and salt seem to be raising a few concerns here in the South.
The district said it will work with chefs to change up its recipes and add more flavor without adding unnecessary sodium or fat.
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