Last year's goverment resolution to not serve junk food to school students has brought several changes this year. While some students are being encouraged to eat fruits by their schools, others are inculcating in students the habit of eating all types of home-cooked food, brought by parents who take turns as per a schedule set by the school.
After government's instruction to give healthy food to students, many institutes have started innovative practices to ensure healthy eating. One such school is Birla Open Minds International, which has a 'fruit break'.
Shubrita Chaturvedi, principal of the school located in Walkeshwar, said, "We will have a short break in the morning and a long one in the afternoon. We will ask students to bring fruits to eat during the short break, which we have named 'fruit break'. If anyone fails to bring fruit, we will fine them Rs 2, and from that money we will bring fruits the next day. The aim is to inculcate healthy eating habits among kids. Also, we will distribute bananas every day to students and staff.."
Kangaroo Kids exposes its pupils to different cultures via healthy food. Divya Punjabi, its culture custodian, said, "?We inculcate healthy community-eating habits by following a roster for snacks at one of our centres. Each parent provides nutritious home food for the entire class every day. For playschool and nursery, we encourage finger food to develop self-help skills. The menu is set by teachers and parents so every child's allergies are taken into account."
STAY OFF JUNK
- Women and Child Development Ministry formed a committee last year which noted food high in fat, salt and sugar increases chances of obesity, diabetes, dental and heart problems and affects a child’s studies.
