Healthy eating at school, but junk food outside: Bengaluru schools face a tough challenge

Although several schools have been putting systems in place to inculcate healthy eating habits among children on the campuses, many principals say that they cannot have control over the choice of food when the schoolchildren step out. As a result, many children anyway end up eating junk or unhealthy snacks, the principals rue.

For instance, some CBSE schools and international schools in the city have installed “sugar board” and “oil board” as per the CBSE norms. They aim to educate children on low consumption of sugar and oil. Some had started this even before the CBSE made it mandatory for all schools to follow.

Latha M., director, Sandeepani Academy for Excellence, said, “We have a food policy in our school for the last 12 years where we have restrictions on consumption of maida, sugar, deep fried food, factory processed foods like biscuits, sauces, mayonnaise. Even before the CBSE made it mandatory to put up oil board and sugar board to create awareness, it was a norm here. We have also informed parents not to pack these items. Instead, they can pack a fistful of nuts, fresh fruits for short break.”

Ms. Latha added, “However, we receive queries from parents if pooris can be packed. It is definitely a no from us. Similarly, no cakes, chocolates are allowed during birthdays.”

While expressing happiness over the State government’s recent order of banning junk food within 50 metre radius of the school campuses, She said, “It is not possible for schools to have control over students when they step out. There are a few children whose parents send money to buy snacks, cakes from bakeries, food stalls, etc. Once in a while, it is fine but doing it every day is not good for their health.”

Prathima Patil, principal, Ryan International Academy, said, “One of our most cherished initiatives is the daily fruit break. Every morning, each child enjoys a fresh fruit brought from home. It is heartening to see how children now remind each other to bring fruits, and parents share photos of their children excitedly picking out fruits the night before.”

Ms. Prathima highlighted that the sugar board presented in their school corridor is a game changer. “Children learn visually from this board about the actual sugar quantity present in each processed cold drinks and different foods.”

Ms. Prathima’s advice to parents is children mirror what they see. “If you reach for a fruit when hungry, your child will too. When parents reinforce this at home, we are not just preventing sick days, we are raising a generation of children who make conscious choice for their well being,” she added.

Inventure Academy, another international school in the city, has their own kitchen where chefs and nutritionists discuss and put up a week’s menu, share it with parents.

Ekta Bhasin, who is involved in preparing the menu, said, “At our school, we provide breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch and evening snack. All these items have equal amount of protein, carbs, vitamins and more. Sugar and Maida are minimal.”

Definitely, we cannot have control over what they eat out of school or at homes. But we make sure to implement best practices of eating at our school, Ms. Bhasin said.

Ms. Ekta also shared that Grade 11 students of their school have developed a mobile app. “This app can be downloaded and used by anybody to scan the processed food packets. The app provides information on the amount of fats, sugar, carbs, etc. to the kids. It is left to them to eat it or discard.”