French School Lunches Put Ours to Shame

In America, 1 in every 3 kids is overweight or obese. Why aren’t the French suffering from an obesity epidemic like us Americans? They must be doing something right. Rebeca Plantier, CEO and co-founder of Fit to Inspire, went on a quest to uncover why French children aren’t fat. In her research, she discovered some interesting facts when she took a closer look at the country’s school lunches. Rebecca toured a French public elementary school cafeteria, or “cantine” as they call it. The cantine staff prepares lunch menus two months in advance and sends it to a certified nutritionist to make any adjustments. After being approved by the nutritionist, all meats, fruits and vegetables are locally sourced and prepared fresh in the kitchen. Lunches feature a four-course meal, which includes a starter salad, a main course usually consisting of a meat dish and vegetables, a cheese dish, and fruit for dessert. The only beverage option is water, unlike the wide selection of sugary drinks loaded with high-fructose corn syrup provided in American cafeterias. While some American schools have transformed their lunch menus to provide wholesome options, many schools still struggle to meet nutritional guidelines. A typical school lunch in America contains ready-made frozen foods loaded with toxic preservatives and additives. We can take away more than just healthy eating habits from our European counterparts. They also promote proper dining etiquette and frequent exercise. Find out what your child is eating at school and make it your mission to ensure they are eating better than some prison inmates.