Sugar in School Breakfasts: A School District’s Perspective
Summary
The article “Sugar in School Breakfasts: A School District’s Perspective” authored by Lengyel, et al (2015) addresses the issue regarding the amount of sugar in meals served to students in Houston under the National School Breakfast Program. In the article, parents are concerned about the quality of breakfast served to their children claiming that the menu is comprised of food high in sugar content. It is a claim that prompts the administrators of the program to look deep into the issue realizing that the claims actually holds water and something ought being done. the main argument of the article is about the amount of sugar in breakfast meals and quality of meals served to students under the program.
The National School Breakfast Program is guided by nutritional regulations stipulated by USDA under the 2010 Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) responding to childhood obesity pandemic. The act introduced changes in the breakfast meal pattern but surprisingly the sugar content standards were never set. The changes focused on reducing the amount of fat while increasing carbohydrates in school breakfast meals. With the noted high amount of sugar in breakfast meals, Houston Independent School District (ISD) Nutrition Services works towards reducing the high sugar content while operating a program that is within the budget. At the same time, it is highlighted that in the case parents need more sugar reduction action in the breakfast meals would have to seek for policy change through the act so that changes can be implemented from the federal levels.
In conclusion, a recommendation is also shared that nutritional labels must be present to distinguish between foods with added sugars from those with low sugar levels. Also, savory products having higher protein levels together with standard levels of calories demanded to be supplied. All the same, Houston ISD Nutrition Services promises remaining committed in listening to community concerns and seek solutions with intentions of serving students health and nutritious breakfast meals.
Response
The article shares an important aspect that has been affecting a majority of school feeding programs. I feel that it addresses properly an important aspect that should be addressed from top most levels to ensure that the students only get the best under the program. It is a good thing that the right bodies are involved and parents have brought out the issue in a manner that the problem has been identified and can be resolved. As proposed in the article, it is important for the parents to remain persistent and make sure changes are implemented from the federal levels and have the policy clearly stipulated the amount of sugar that should be in breakfast meals and other meals served through the program.
At the same time, when levels of sugar are reduced, there are other important nutrients that should be present to make the meals balanced diet. Hence, the review should be overall to ensure that the meals are balanced diet and meets the health needs of all students without compromising their health.
Reflection Question
· What ideas originally came to mind when you first read through the article? Did your initial response to the article change after reading it for a second time? (3-4 sentences)
Reading through the article for the first time sent an important message and made me think critically about the content of sugar in meals served during breakfast. It raised some levels of concern and awareness that I have never thought of and realised the important message being shared. Even after reading the article for the second time, my initial response did not change but only got stronger.
· How does paying attention to the way you respond to a source help you formulate your stance on a topic?
By paying attention, I have been able to get all the points raised clearly and hence responding to the source has been made easier. The more reason is that I have been able to base the response from a knowledge perspective hence making the response relevant, professional and ethical
References
Lengyel, M. S., Jennifer, G., Cramer, R. D. N., LD, N., Oceguera, M. S., & Pigao MA, L. (2015). Sugar In School Breakfasts: A School District’s Perspective. Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 6(2), 7.
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