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[SchOOl luNchES]

Lining up for health problems

By Amy Kubli| MSEM

izza, chicken fingers and waffle sticks. Oh my! With childhood obesity having tripled during the past three decades, school lunches are just a piece of the (ahem) pie that need evaluating. And each school district is different in their offerings. Parents are left to read the fine print on their schools menus and decide the healthiest choice for their children. How big of a piece of pie is it?

School food is something that most kids - 31 million a day, a Chef Salad (made with romaine lettuce, low-fat mozzarella, actually - have twice a day, 180 days a year, the philanthropic and grilled chicken), cooked corn, raw baby carrots and skim culinary personality Jamie Oliver contends. chocolate milk. A full chart of the sample proposed menu can In his own words, Oliver is here to start a much-needed be found at www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/cnr_chart. food revolution. Oliver is an export of Britain and has starred pdf. in several of his own cooking shows, authored several books, I pack my daughters lunch because I like having control of spoke across America and Great Britain (including at schools) her calories and nutrition, says Annmarie Koon, mother of 2 and has been on a health crusade called Jamie Olivers Food in Farmington Hills. Her oldest child is 8 and in the third grade Revolution. He has been speaking to America about the vir- in Farmington Public Schools. She lets her eat in school once tues of healthy eating and the dangers of continuing on our a week when the school sells pizza from the local pizzeria. The current path of poor diets. FPS elementary lunches are $2.60 per day and Koon says a The lunch ladies of America. Im oftypical menu contains nachos, hot dogs, fering myself as their ambassador. Theyre bosco sticks and chicken nuggets. We encourage doing their best. But, theyre doing what These menu items are pretty pertheyre told and what theyre being told is parents to work vasive in all area public school lunch wrong, says Oliver. menus. Children who regularly buy school locally with their Livonia Public Schools, like most lunch are at higher risk for obesity, a food service districts nowadays, offers a student two new study by the University of Michichoices of lunch. A random sampling of directors on gan shows. The study was published in their menu shows the following choices a recent American Heart Journal. The changes they would on one day: Eggo WG Mini Pancakes study, according to The New York Times, like to see in the with or without Turkey Sausage patty, or looked at more than 1,000 sixth graders Hummus w/ Pita Bread. Then, another in several schools in southeastern Michi- program. This can day might be Chicken Sticks with Dingan and found that those who regularly be done individually ner Roll or Munchable that has yogurt, had the school lunch were 29 percent egg, baby or through Parent/ boiled crackers. carrots w/dressing, and more likely to be obese than those who Gripz LPS offers a Nutrition brought lunch from home. Nationwide, Teacher groups. Cart available daily with each entree, more than one-third of children and which includes: fresh and canned fruit, Howard Leikert fresh romaine blend lettuce, broccoli, more than two-thirds of adults are overSupervisor, State of Michigan weight or obese, according to the 7th carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and garSchool Nutrition Program edition of Dietary Guidelines for Ameribanzo beans. cans (2010). Examples of some popular, and President Obamas administration healthier, meals at Livonia Public Schools saw the need to change the school lunch programs. His ef- mostly include bread and pasta as the main course. All [of forts were initially met with opposition from Congress, arguing those dishes are] whole wheat now pizza, bread, buns, says that the government ought not be telling our nations children Lisa Price, who is a general kitchen helper at Livonia Public what they should be eating. In December of 2010, President Schools. Price has worked in the District for 11 years. PreviObama signed the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act that has and ous years they were made with white, enriched flour. Cookies, will have significant impact on how schools across the nation a popular dessert, are now made with whole wheat flour. feed their students, says Howard Leikert, supervisor for the Price believes this is because of the federal governments State of Michigans School Nutrition Programs. The meal pat- attempts to switch to more healthy meals, including First Lady tern for lunch is proposed to have the first major changes in Michelle Obamas personal initiative: Lets Move (letsmove. more than 30 years. gov). The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act proposes changes to In the end, as First Lady, this isnt just a policy issue for improve the meals that are being fed to public school chil- me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to dren. Under this act, things like the before items of pizza page 24 sticks, a banana, raisins and whole milk would be replaced with

See LUNCHES,

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LUNCHES, from page 23

work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition, says Mrs. Obama. Lets Move! is an initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Lets Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. It strives to give parents helpful information and foster environments that support healthy choices and provide healthier foods in our schools. It also aims to help children become more physically active. Emily Brenner is a mother of two children who both attend Farmington Public Schools. She packs lunches for her kids, ages 5 and 7. My children are picky eaters, says Brenner. Also I wouldnt have any control over what they choose and there are some options that lack nutrition or have too much sugar. I do not consider corn a healthy vegetable option if the meal already includes other starches. Brenner suggests that FPS seems to serve balanced meals but they could do better. Among her recommendations, she feels they should do away with the sweetened applesauce and fruits and the fried foods like chicken nuggets. She does want to see only white milk offered as well, as opposed to flavored or chocolate milk. It seems everyone has a job to play when it comes to improving the nations nutrition. It is not just a job to be undertaken by the U.S. Government. There has always been the brown-bag option. A caregivers idea of whats best for the child can be one answer. We encourage parents to work locally with their food service directors on changes they would like to see in the program. This can be done individually or through Parent/Teacher groups, says Leikert. Oliver makes the point that so much media attention is spent on homicides when in fact, they rank at the bottom of our nations killers. What is at the top of his list is heart disease. Cancer is a close second. We spend our lives being paranoid about death, murder, homicide, you name it. Its on the front page of every paper, CNN, said Oliver at a 2010 TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) award ceremony. Look at homicide at the bottom, for Gods sake. During his acceptance speech, he showed a video where he showed vegetables to schoolaged childrenpotatoes, beets, cauliflower. Most could not identify the actual food. Weve got to start teaching our kids about food in schools, period. MS EM For packed lunch ideas: www.jamieoliver.com/news/perfectpacked-lunches
Amy Kubli is the production manager for MSEM.

MCFARLIN, from page 11

But thats no guarantee of disclosure about such unspeakable acts. For more answers, I turned to my dear friend Pamela Hartmann, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist in Saint Clair Shores who once ran a group at Childrens Home of Detroit for girls who had been sexually or physically abused. Its very difficult to know whether a child has been abused, Hartmann says. Every child will deal with an assault differently. Some signs to look for, however, are: Sudden, unexpected irritability Kick-the-cat syndrome: taking out rage and frustration on a person or animal lower in the pecking order Dramatic personality changes Difficulty concentrating on tasks requiring mental effort Withdrawal from family life With respect to athletics, Hartmann suggests, take time to know the organization from the top down, make sure there are always at least two adults working with your child or their sports team, know the sports schedules and insist practices start and stop on time. If your child does report abuse or you suspect it, be your kids advocate. The child needs to know he is safe, she says. And dont be afraid to consult a psychologist. Parents arent supposed to know everything, Hartmann says. They deserve a fighting chance. MS EM

KALLEN, from page 6

Couture-Salon
Shelby Township (586) 854-7544 www.couture-salon.com

Sample changed menu under new legislation

HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT OF 2010

Before/After Elementary School Lunch Menu

Monday
BEFORE Bean and cheese burrito (5.3 oz) with mozzarella cheese (1 oz) Applesauce (1/4 cup) Orange Juice (4 oz) 2% Milk (8 oz)

Tuesday
BEFORE Hot dog on bun (3 oz) with ketchup (4 T) Canned Pears (1/4 cup) Raw Celery and Carrots (1/8 cup each) with ranch dressing (1.75 T) Low-fat (1%) Chocolate Milk (8 oz)

Wednesday
BEFORE Pizza sticks (3.8 oz) with marinara sauce (1.4 cup) Banana Raisins (1 oz) Whole Milk (8 oz)

Thursday
BEFORE Breaded beef patty (4 oz) with ketchup (2 T) Wheat roll (2 oz) Frozen Fruit Juice Bar (2.4 oz) 2% Milk (8 oz)

Friday
BEFORE Cheese pizza (4.8 oz) Canned Pineapple (1/4 cup) Tater Tots (1/2 cup) with ketchup (2 T) Low-fat (1%) Chocolate Milk (8 oz)

AFTER
Submarine Sandwich (1 oz turkey, .5 oz low-fat cheese) on Whole Wheat Roll Refried Beans (1/2 cup) Jicama (1/4 cup) Green Pepper Strips (1/4 cup) Cantaloupe wedges, raw (1/2 cup) Skim Milk (8oz) Mustard (9 grams) Reduced fat mayonnaise (1oz) Low Fat Ranch Dip (1 oz)

AFTER
Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (1/2 cup) and Whole Wheat Roll Green Beans, cooked (1/2 cup) Broccoli (1/2 cup) Cauliflower (1/2 cup) Kiwi Halves, raw (1/2 cup) Low-fat (1%) Milk (8 oz) Low Fat Ranch Dip (1 oz) Soft Margarine (5 g)

AFTER
Chef Salad (1 cup romaine, .5 oz low-fat mozzarella, 1.5 oz grilled chicken) with Whole Wheat Soft Pretzel (2.5 oz) Corn, cooked (1/2 cup) Baby Carrots, raw (1/4 cup) Banana Skim Chocolate Milk (8 oz) Low Fat Ranch Dressing (1.5 oz) Low Fat Italian Dressing (1.5 oz)

AFTER
Oven-Baked Fish nuggets (2 oz) with Whole Wheat Roll Mashed Potatoes (1/2 cup) Steamed Broccoli (1/2 cup) Peaches (canned, packed in juice cup) Skim Milk (8 oz) Tarter Sauce (1.5 oz) Soft Margarine (5 g)

AFTER
Whole Wheat Cheese Pizza (1 slice) Baked Sweet Potato Fries (1/2 cup) Grape tomatoes, raw (1/4 cup) Applesauce (1/2 cup) Low-fat (1%) Milk (8 oz) Low Fat Ranch Dip (1 oz)

I N P R I N T | O N l I N E | O N T A R G E T ! 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 + O N l I N E h I T S !

Comparison of Current NSLP Elementary Meals vs. Proposed Elementary Meals

(248) 341-3422 www.misportsedge.com

now...I have some experience with MMA, but boxing is what I know best, Kallen says. Boxing is her passion: a passion that she wants to pass onto new generations of enthusiasts and athletes alike. She currently represents four fighters and is always anticipating discovering a new talent. But that is getting harder to do, as the boxing industry has taken a step back from center stage. It is the youth of Detroit and surrounding areas that shes hoping to inspire into the [boxing] ring. Long ago dubbed Photo by Mark Parker the First Lady of The First Lady of Boxing Jackie Kallenwith her Boxing, Kallen runs canine companion, Joeyreturned to suburban with the big boys on the Detroit where she is testing the waters with new circuit. boxing and MMA ventures. A professional highlight in the business Joey in tow. Family is really what the for the Detroit native, Kallen, was during main draw is. Tommy Hearns rise to champion. Theres nothing better than being Kallen holds that experience as being close to family, says Kallen. one of her favorite memories of the Her West Bloomfield condo is Detroit boxing era. To be part of the crowded with photos of the A-crowd. team of a champion one spoke in a From Stallone to Sinatra, Hearns, to big wheelthat was incredible, says Tyson, Kallens office is overflowing Kallen. And it got her hooked. with photos and memorabilia of an Back in the Day auspicious career in the hard-hitting We had a real good machine world of professional boxing. here ... Kronk in the 80s with Thomas So looking for an opportunity to Hearns, Milton McCrory and Hilmer partner with local companies and bring Kenty, and my Galaxy Boxing in the back the hay day of Detroit boxing is 90s with guys like James Toney, Bronco foremost on Kallens mind. Id like to McKart and Tarick Salmaci. There just put some life back into the economy are not enough exciting fighters now too, says Kallen. [in Detroit], says Kallen. Three cardiac stents and two Fans follow hometown favorites. lumpectomies during her 35-year And right now, Detroit is floundering. career couldnt knockout this force of So, what brought her back? nature. When Kallen says, I havent Her health, a more reasonable cost had anything come up that I couldnt of living and a desire to return to her handle, you believe her. MS EM Michigan roots are part of what brings this mother of two and grandmother Rita Brown is the publisher of MI Sports Edge Magazine. of three, home to a comfortable condo in West Bloomfield, canine companion

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