Seventeen-year-old Oklahoma student Kaytlin Shelton took a picture of her federally-approved "Munchable" lunch that is served every other week at her high school in the Chickasha school district to show her parents. Now, they are angry and worried their daughter isn't getting enough nutrition at school.
Clocking in at under 300 calories, this "Munchable" consists of a couple ounces of sliced ham, two packages of wheat crackers, a slice of cheese, two cauliflower stalks, and a tablespoon of ranch dressing. Certainly nowhere near enough calories for active kids, school athletes, or even those who may be pregnant, as is the case with Kaytlin. She is eating for two.
The meal costs $3. Kaytlin's father said he could buy more food for a dollar.
"It makes me want to take that and take it to the Superintendent and tell him to eat it for lunch," Kaytlin told KOKH-TV.
However, the school district says that more options are available on Munchable day: milk, beans, pears. The kids are given five options but only have to accept three to meet the guidelines. But those federal regulations are now limiting calories per meal based on age in order to fight childhood obesity.
Superintendent David Cash says he "knows" children aren't getting enough food at school. "There is no doubt about that. My own kid comes home and the first thing he does is raid the refrigerator." Cash says the district will reevaluate the Munchable meal going forward.
The girl's family just wants the schools to be responsible for the needs of the children and feed them proper calories when they are at school.
H/T EAGnews.org


