Currently, school cafeterias play an essential role in children’s nutrition and, consequently, in their eating habits and well-being. The food they receive in these spaces is essential for their physical and intellectual growth, and therefore they must offer adequate and quality food. Therefore, the question that many families ask is: how can we know if our children’s school cafeteria provides adequate nutrition?
First of all, it is important to understand that a good diet depends on the quality and balance of nutrients. A school cafeteria should offer a varied menu that includes all types of proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats and a good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. The dining rooms They should avoid quick and cheap solutions, such as processed foods or foods rich in sugar, since, although they are satiating, they do not provide the necessary nutrients for the optimal development of children.
The eating habits of minors are essential for their optimal development, so it is essential to evaluate whether school menus are appropriate and beneficial for students. This is reflected in the “School Menus” report, prepared by the OCU in 2023, which indicates that none of the 622 school menus analyzed comply with the recommendations of the AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition). Another relevant fact from the study is that only 33% of the menus They are prepared directly at the educational centeras more and more schools turn to catering companies; In fact, 55% of the menus come from companies that cook for several centers.
The report indicates that school menus contain an excess of potatoes and a lack of legumes, since the consumption of the latter does not reach the recommended minimum of 1.5 times per week. As for vegetables, most are served in puree form, although it would be ideal to cook them whole more often. Furthermore, the analysis points out a notable absence of eggs on the menus, since the recommendation of including them at least once a week is not met.
One aspect that must be analyzed to guarantee the quality of food in school cafeterias is the transparency of them. On many occasions, the menus presented to parents do not contain enough information about the ingredients or the preparation of the dishes. This makes it difficult to know if the food is really nutritious or if, on the contrary, the products used are of low quality. In order to evaluate the food that children receive, it is essential that the dining room be clear and detailed in the information it offers. Some canteens allow parents to visit the facilities and observe the preparation of food, which is very useful to verify the nutrition their children receive.
Another key point is the presence of a nutrition professional within the team that creates the menus. This nutritionist is essential to ensure that the meals provided are balanced and contain an adequate amount of nutrients. A school cafeteria that has the advice of a professional ensures that nutritional needs of students are adequately covered, thus avoiding nutritional imbalances in children.
The variety of menus It is another indicator of quality. Eating the same thing every day can be boring for children and limit their intake of necessary nutrients. A good dining room should offer a variety of dishes, adequate quantities and a good distribution throughout the week. Furthermore, it is important to introduce new recipes and flavorswhich benefits children by developing better eating habits and avoiding rejection of different types of foods. Our experts recommend the consumption of fish twice a week, that the drink that accompanies meals be water and, as for dessert, preferably opt for fruit.
In addition to the quality of the ingredients, the way they are cooked is also relevant. Preparation methods such as steaming, baking or grilling are much healthier, as they maintain the nutrients in the food. On the other hand, frequent frying adds saturated fat and empty calories to dishes.
Another important aspect to take into account is the adaptation of the dining room to specific needs of the students. Children with food intolerances or allergies should have safe and equally nutritious options for them. In addition, those who choose a vegetarian diet must also have balanced menus that cover all their nutritional needs without compromising their adequate diet. The school cafeteria must ensure the health and well-being of everyone. Efficient communication between parents and those in charge of the cafeteria is essential to guarantee these needs and, above all, the safety of the students.
It is also essential that parents are committed and involved in the evaluation process of school cafeterias, participating in meetings and learning about menus and foods. The collaboration between the two is of great relevance to achieve healthy and adequate nutrition for children.
In short, knowing if a school cafeteria offers optimal nutrition requires joint work between the educational center, those responsible for the cafeteria and the parents. The clarity of the information, the presence of a nutrition professionalthe variety of menus, the way food is cooked and the reduction of processed and ultra-processed products are key to ensuring that our children have a good diet and obtain healthy habits for their entire life.
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