France's Gourmet School Lunches

 From what I can see of the average American, the populace is becoming so fat that the whole country might just sink into oblivion.   I hate to say it but a large part of the problem is DIET folks, simply diet. 

Americans have adopted a diet that simply doesn't work for the human body.  You will find whole multi-million dollar industries used by America devoted to developing flavors that "addict" (and that is actually the word they proudly use ) us to commercial food products.   These fake flavors are of course to put into all the fake food consumed more and more in America and now sold world-wide.  And the way animals are treated , abused in their diet and slaughtered in America is a shameful practice which detracts tremendously from the quality of the meat.

You may have noticed how fat phobic the American diet is.  There are lots of good Omega 3 fats that Americans are not consuming , those being the good fats.     Stars among them are coconut oil and olive oil (1/2 omega 3's & 6's).   In the States, all fats are considered bad by the average Joe who learned to eat the SAD ( standard American diet).  But it's fat that makes food taste good.  That is why there are no fad diets that work in the long run.   No one can stay on a diet without good flavor built into it.

Recently there have been some changes in both the American and French school lunch programs.  For the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this means increases in the availability of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in the school.  It also means less meat. 
There is also a focus on decreasing the amounts of fat and in particular saturated fat. 

Unfortunately the kids detest the school lunches now.   The new lunches treat every child as if he were obese and put him or her on a restricted diet of tasteless food.  Now the students are protesting by boycotting school lunches and lining up at the nearby snack bars after lunch to pig out on chips, pretzels, candy bars and soft drinks.  Strike out.

In France the new nutritional targets for kids have been less defined but in general the goal is to have one additional calcium rich food at each lunch, fewer condiments at the table (salt, mayonnaise and ketchup) and portion sizes according to age.   But as milk is not digestible to all people, the French are putting in cheese and yoghurt, both naturally fermented milk solids which are better for you and more delicious than the watered down 1% cows milk that the Americans are offering.

Also the French are wisely subsidizing the lunches of children who can not afford the price of around 5 dollars a meal.  The quality and the preparation are more considered... not just the bottom line pricing as in America.  Now isn't that a wiser use of tax dollars than more drones and missles? 

Here are some menus that I found on the site of Mary Brighton, a dietician who has as her goal the dietary improvement of all, especially young people:  brightonyourhealth.com/contact-mary-brighton

A Week of French School Lunch Menus Compared To American School Lunch Menus

Monday, November 26, 2012

Ames, Iowa versus Poitiers France
Ames, Iowa

Whole Grain Chicken Nuggets OR Yogurt/American Cheese/Crackers/Crackers Fun Lunch

Mashed Potatoes OR Jicama Slices w/ Lite Dressing

Orange Wedges OR Pineapple Tidbits

Poitiers, France

 Radishes with Butter

Daube Marseillaise (Beef Stew with tomatoes, olives, onions and green pepper) with Rice

Emmental cheese, Applesauce
November 27, 2012 (note: for Albi, France November 27 menu not available as of publishing date-using November 20, 2012)

Fort Collins, Colorado versus Albi, France

Fort Collins

Veggie Lasagne OR Cheeseburger OR Uncrustable PB&J

Green Beans

Albi, France

Green salad with Avocado, Surimi, Endives, Grapefruit with a vinaigrette

Chicken sausages

Aligot cheese and Whole apple

Thursday, November 29, 2012
Irving, Texas versus Nantes, France

Irving, Texas

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce & Bread OR Stix or Turkey Ham OR Deli Turkey Sandwich OR Chef/Veg. Chef Salad w/Bread Stix,

Green Beans

Tossed Salad, Peachy Pear

Nantes, France

Organic shredded beets

Breaded fish

Cauliflower with Béchamel sauce

Tomme cheese and Chocolate eclair

Friday, November 30, 2012

Toms River, New Jersey versus Pau, France

Toms River, NJ

Domino’s Pizza OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Tossed Salad

Baked Apples w/Cinnamon

Pau, France

Lentil Salad

Fish Casserole

Butter Beans

Basque Cake

 Now which menu would you prefer?