'Mens sana in corpore sano', I suppose this was one of the reflections of the directors of the Queens 244 public school (in New York), when they decided to introduce a major change in the school menus they offered. Since last year They serve vegetarian menus. One of the engines of change is the large percentage (70%) of Asian students, accustomed to a significant presence of plant foods in their diet.
It also turned out that the chef is vegetarian, so she knew perfectly how to make healthy and nutritionally complete vegetarian menus. The 244 school canteen is frequented by 400 students, who can also bring food from home, although most choose the dishes they serve there. All are drivers of a change that follows the line of some research indicating that healthy eating helps to concentrate more and have better physical health.
With a menu worthy of a high-level restaurant, the boys of the New York public school now eat vegetarian dishes. Stewed black beans and bananas, roasted tofu in Asian sesame sauce, falafel and cucumber salad are some of the dishes served in a Queens school, becoming the first in New York City and possibly the entire United States where there is no meat on the cafeteria menu
Not only has the change been noticed in the qualifications (the higher concentration the better performance), but students who were obese or overweight have also benefited. We had already given a touch of attention to the thread of improving the feeding of school-age children, especially (but not only) during exam time. Curiously in that post, we also mentioned that some famous thinkers deliberately chose a vegetarian diet.
The dining room still offers pizza on Fridays only without the pepperoni. The principal of this school affirms that 'most parents have welcomed this change with pleasure and willingness'; and in any case, if you disagree, they can cook at home and send the children with the lunch box to school.
It seems that during the term of the former New York Mayor (Bloomberg), all public cabbages of the big apple have undergone a food revolution. I explain, not all of them now serve vegetarian meals, but for example, they use whole grains instead of refined ones.
The most important thing about this review is remember the importance of a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet, where all food groups have their role.
