Myself i'm not that opposed to school lunches in general, but this notion that some busybodies would be deciding what my children are allowed or not allowed to eat - I think is a major infringement of civil liberties.
Banning packed lunches -- seriously?...
- Thread starter TabascoNatalie
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Well, from experience I can say that vegetarians usually just get a plate of random side dishes when meals are bulk-prepared. Every time I am in hospital, as an example, I usually get a plate of cooked vegetables with a salad and a piece of bread. No iron, no protein, no calcium, just whatever was being served on the side. If I'm lucky then the soup is a vegetarian one, but half the time it isn't.singledad said:
That's just lazy. When we host, I can always accommodate vegetarians in a pinch. If you eat eggs and dairy, it's extremely easy. For soups, you just substitute veggie broth; it's almost as tasty, and for seasoned vegetarians, they don't even know what they're missing. Pizza is another easy one; just don't use a meaty sauce, and don't add meat toppings. For sandwiches, substitute a portabella mushroom. For burgers, any store will sell vegetarian patties; I make my own very delicious black bean patty that I actually prefer over beef. Then there are pastas, casseroles, quiches... all with eggs/milk for the protein. Now vegans are a little harder, but I can do that too. I've even made seitan.
It's the gluten sensitivities that would be hard to accommodate. And even that is not terribly hard; it is just hard to substitute ingredients so that you're serving basically the same meal, but gluten-free.
It's the gluten sensitivities that would be hard to accommodate. And even that is not terribly hard; it is just hard to substitute ingredients so that you're serving basically the same meal, but gluten-free.
I do expect a hospital to be able to get it right though. But no.
There is nothing like 16 hours of labour, pushing out a baby and breastfeeding, being ravenously hungry as a result and receiving a garden salad, apple and miniature apple juice to set off the tears.
Sorry, that's a little off topic from the school lunches.
There is nothing like 16 hours of labour, pushing out a baby and breastfeeding, being ravenously hungry as a result and receiving a garden salad, apple and miniature apple juice to set off the tears.
Sorry, that's a little off topic from the school lunches.
Not really. The tendency of establishments to be unable to accommodate special dietary needs in a meaningful way is the topic. And sorry, but no kid is going to be doing their best at school if they consistently miss out on a filling, balanced meal.
My point exactly. If they won't let you bring your own lunch, they have to give you something good. And that includes a decent, well balanced vegan meal, not just leave out the meat and call it vegetation. And they must cater for allergies. Our else, let those with special dietary requirements bring their own. But then you'll never be able to draw the line in a place that makes everyone happy, so..akmom said:
I saw this program by one of the celebrity chefs - I think it was Heston Blumenthal which looked at food provided by insitutions (including schools and hospitals) then he set about developing what he saw. There was another one focusing on hospital food by the guy from Saturday Kitchen, I'll try and find youtube clips - let's just say its interesting what little care goes into food given to those being cared for
The Heston Blumenthal one is called Heston's Mission Impossible - Fern knows these things can't remember the other one but certainly look the heston one up
It was Jamie Oliver as well, and some other famous restauranteurs.
food quality in school/hospital cantines -- lets be honest -- they don't employ highly skilled chefs nor they buy premium quality ingredients. It is all about being lowest cost possible. Now lets remember the horsemeat scandal as well.
So i really don't buy some celebrities being experts on school catering.
As for school dinners being "balanced" -- ok, let's say it is -- how many kids actually eat everything what's on the plate? If a kid only eats potatoes, and leaves everything else? How balanced that is?
food quality in school/hospital cantines -- lets be honest -- they don't employ highly skilled chefs nor they buy premium quality ingredients. It is all about being lowest cost possible. Now lets remember the horsemeat scandal as well.
So i really don't buy some celebrities being experts on school catering.
As for school dinners being "balanced" -- ok, let's say it is -- how many kids actually eat everything what's on the plate? If a kid only eats potatoes, and leaves everything else? How balanced that is?
My little one loves tuna sandwiches. I have it all planned out for preschool already. (well, one more year)
Tuna sandwich, cup of vanilla yogurt with raisins, a banana and some cranberry juice. I mean, I think we're sitting on a winner here. And yes he will eat it all. This boy can really eat!
Tuna sandwich, cup of vanilla yogurt with raisins, a banana and some cranberry juice. I mean, I think we're sitting on a winner here. And yes he will eat it all. This boy can really eat!
IAdad how do you get your little ones eating spinach that's a feat in its own right my kids won't touch the stuff any off them
Might have to try that cybele - we'll may have to try it while on our aussie adventure these next two weeks
Bumping up because I stumbled across this blog, I think it's fascinating. People submit photos of school lunches (and some packed lunches) from all around the world.
I find the comparisons really interesting, there are some school lunches that look pretty shocking, but some that look amazing, and some packed lunches that look shocking and some that look amazing (I think France have it right).
Kind of muddies the waters a bit. It's an issue with so many variables.
http://whatsforschoollunch.blogspot.com.au/
I find the comparisons really interesting, there are some school lunches that look pretty shocking, but some that look amazing, and some packed lunches that look shocking and some that look amazing (I think France have it right).
Kind of muddies the waters a bit. It's an issue with so many variables.
http://whatsforschoollunch.blogspot.com.au/
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A lot of those lunches would be hard to pack because they are messy. And if it needs to be heated, that is a problem, because there is a line for the microwave. Kids don't have much time to eat as it is, without having to wait for the microwave.
I pack my daughter's lunches in a tackle box (tackle removed) with an ice pack. I wrap the gel pack around the drink thermos and freeze it that way, so it's shaped just right. That way I can pack her milk or juice, and it will stay plenty cold until lunch.
I pack my daughter's lunches in a tackle box (tackle removed) with an ice pack. I wrap the gel pack around the drink thermos and freeze it that way, so it's shaped just right. That way I can pack her milk or juice, and it will stay plenty cold until lunch.