Though the dietary guidelines for American school’s nutrition improvisation have long been established, consistent efforts have been on to revise them, keeping child obesity at the forefront. The new national school breakfast and lunch program is supported by Federal nutrition assistance that is endorsed by the First Lady and powered by President Obama. 

The program is focused on the alarming trend of childhood obesity and is aimed at educating the younger generation about the significance of eating healthy. The appreciative concern of the First Lady along with the agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, has resulted in a strict standard which requires the federally funded schools across the length and breadth of the nation to adhere to regulations laid down in the  newly unveiled version of federal nutrition guideline for schools. Such holistic change has seen the light of the day for the first time in the span of 15 years. The whole launch has finally been translated into the 'Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act',

signed into law by the President.

So, what actually are the guidelines and how easy can they be implemented? Let us take a sneak peek into the basics to get the feel of the newly launched nutrition program. Well, the school lunch program is aimed to deliver food to around 30 million children and the breakfast program intends to feed about 11 million children in schools. The programs are  mutually dependent on the school as well as the family sending their children to federally funded schools with both parties being equally benefitted. Those schools that abide by the norms and principles of rendering such services are expected to receive cash subsidies and commodities from the United States Department of Agriculture, while on the other hand, children who come from low income family are fed for free. It is of utmost interest that the schools participating in such programs must follow the federal requirements without any deviation.

The major cause that fuels the program is the fact that the majority of  calorie consumption (around 50 percent of calories intake) takes place during school hours. This calls for better quality meals that rates high in nutrition & health and must be less fattening as well as allergen free.  Let us now look into the crux of the matter.

The guideline appeals that:

• Schools must add more of fresh fruits and green vegetables to help the children increase their nutritional intake.
• This should be practiced for the entire week.
• Next, dairy and related products must be swapped with fat free or low fat versions.
• Schools have been directed to serve breakfast and lunch according to require ments of the children based on age which vary in calorie consumption and portion size.
• There should be an increased consumption of whole grain cereals.
• Schools must concentrate on slashing down calories, cutting back on saturated fats and trans-fats.
• One major sacrifice that this nutrition guideline calls for is to reduce the sodium content in meals.

Parents can now rest assured that their children would be getting a balanced, nutritious meal at school henceforth, thanks to the Federal Government. The rest of the world can take inspiration from this State gesture and hope to raise an obesity and subsequently disease free generation of the future!

Image credit: obamafoodorama.blogspot.in

Video Credit- cnn.com