Potatoes Out of School Lunches? What Are They Thinking?!

I heard yesterday on NPR that there is a proposal to get potatoes out of school lunches. What are they thinking?! Of course, it way past time to get the french fries and other forms of fatty fried potatoes like Tater Tots away from our kids, but baked potatoes and other starches like corn, peas and lima beans? New guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture would eliminate potatoes altogether from school breakfasts and drastically reduce the amount of potatoes served in lunches in an attempt to end childhood obesity. There may be preparations that are better than others, but there are no bad fruits or vegetables. When you force a limit on potatoes and you force other things in there you drive the cost up, you reduce the flexibility of the schools, you take away a vegetable that kids like and you run the risk of … delivering less nutrition. There are cultures that live very healthily on potatoes and as you know, starches are an integral component to a healthy plant-based diet and weight loss program. Dr. John McDougall and others have researched and written extensively about starches. At the Slender For Life™ weight loss hypnosis program I certainly advocate for healthy school lunches and absolutely believe that we can and that we must put an end to childhood obesity, but let’s not allow the beef and dairy counsel’s money and lobbyists dictate healthy school lunches.

USDA Wants Potatoes Out Of School Lunches

The proposal announced by the USDA in January puts focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains while limiting sodium, banning trans fats and reducing starches.

The guidelines would limit starchy vegetables – corn, peas and lima beans, in addition to potatoes – to two servings a week. That’s about one cup.

Putting an increased emphasis on physical education – getting couch potatoes into the gymnasium or onto a sports field – would have a far greater impact on reducing childhood obesity, said Tim Hobbs, director of development for the Maine Potato Board.

You probably already know that I am passionate about putting an end the childhood obesity and that I view what we are doing to our children with food as child abuse. I have strongly supported and spoken publicly about the urgency or reforming our school lunches. Childhood obesity is preventable and we must stop it. As a nation, we simply cannot afford the rising medical costs of obesity.

But seriously, take backed potatoes, corn, peas and beans out of school lunches?! What a boon for the beef and dairy council! A plant-based diet that includes the starches of real food is a healthy way to lose weight and to maintain an ideal weight. Children and adults at Slender For Life™ learn weight loss hypnosis so that they can stop the cravings for fats, sugars and processed food and create a desire for healthy plant-based meals and exercise. Make your voice known in your school district and support healthy plant-based school lunches.

Read what John McDougall, MD has to say about potatoes and starch:

Potatoes ~ Still the Perfect Food

and

Just a Little More about Starch and The Starch Solution ~ John McDougall, MD

Check out Slender For Life™ and call (206) 903-1232 or email for your free consultation.