Eating Healthy in the Cafeteria
Hot Lunch Ideas for School
-- By Liza Barnes, Health Educator
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So here you are, standing in the cafeteria line at school, a few dollars in hand, wondering what you can possibly buy that will be healthy (or even remotely tasty).
Eating a nutritious lunch is important to your health, your grades, and even your social life. Vitamins and minerals power your body and your brain. But don’t worry—finding something healthy under those cafeteria warming lights is possible if you know what to look for.
The good news is that many schools are jumping on the healthy food bandwagon, no longer selling sodas and other unhealthy vending machine “food," for example. Some schools have gone even further, modifying their cafeteria menu to include locally-grown and organic foods. The bad news is that the majority of schools still consider greasy pizza and French fries lunch staples. But whether your school is sporting a salad bar or a fast food counter, you can still find a healthy lunch in the cafeteria by making the most of what’s available. Here are some tips, based on common school cafeteria choices:
