What they got: Turkey taco meat on flour tortilla, lettuce & tomato, cheddar cheese, salsa, banana and lowfat milk.
Honestly, not a bad meal and would have been much better had the tortillas been whole wheat and the turkey made in our kitchens from scratch, instead they probably used pre-packaged seasoned taco meat! I really do think that a few tweaks here and there and our kids would be eating much better.
For the most part they (the kids) enjoyed the taco, but I did see a few of them pushing off the meat and opting for lettuce, cheese tomato and salsa! This leads me to believe that opting for a vegetarian meal once or twice a week at school might actually be worth investigating! Frankly eating more beans is probably far more beneficial to them than any many of other components they are made to eat.
Just looking at the May menu, I do not see many legumes (beans, peas, lentils) offered. In fact this past month they have included baked beans once and seasoned peas once. Legumes are inexpensive, nutrient-rich and high in fiber, you'd think schools would make more use of them!
If I had to grade this lunch as far as if it's appealing and well-balanced, I'd give it a C+. It loses major points because the taco meat is pre-seasoned and also because there is not a whole grain in sight. What do you think?
Good point about the beans/legumes! Here in NM, kids would LOVE to have beans for lunch. (We are raised on them! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd is it just me, or does this lunch seem kind of paltry?
I agree with the better choices, especially some form of legumes/pulses. High in fiber, protein and cooked correctly, delicious! I'd opt for that over the dismal stuff that passes for the 'meat' in school dinners. Whole grain tacos are great tasting... ay least they have milk, fruit and some form of veg. Looks more appealing than the previous meal!
ReplyDeletejust found your blog and wish I'd found it earlier. I think pinto beans would have been a hit...except they would have been drenched in salt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosa, this meal seems a little paltry, beans might have filled it out a bit and wouldn't have cost much more.
I do like that the milk seems to be not flavored in most of your pics.
Hi Viki,
ReplyDeleteAt our school they do not serve flavored milk at all, but in the other elementary schools I believe its on offer everyday.
I totally think beans and whole grains are the way to go. If the schools used dry beans we could control how much sodium and fat goes into the meals. Till then the kids are stuck with paltry meals :(
thanks for following.