Jamie Oliver for Education Secretary?

[metagirl]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4287712.stm

Understanding the need for change in school dinners for kids, but doesn't it make you a bit uneasy that Government had to watch a TV programme before becoming aware of the problem and doing something about it? Or do we have to rely on celebrities now to make our lives better? ala Bob Galdof?

[AliFlump]

Thats a very good point metagirl, they privatise the school meals and all they are interested in is making money so they cut down on the food in order to make money.    it really is disgusting what the give kids nowadays

just heard that they are banning sweets and fizzy drinks in schools too

[Rubyrose]

Thing is for years now the goverment comes up with all these things like "This could be the first generation of kids who die before their parents" and things like that but they don't bother to do anything about it.

[metagirl]

thanks guys for your opinions, i was feeling a bit lonesome here in News. Brrr its cold, someone close that window!

[jipsquithesq]

You miss the point, they are doing something not because jamie oliver brought it to there attention, but rather, because it was brought to the attention of the public and public support means votes for the party that gets it sorted.

In short, they always knew, but now it's politically expeidient to do something about it.

(or at least to claim they will do something)

[valsuey]

I live by a lot of schools and the amount of sandwiches(obviously packed lunches) that come sailing over my garden hedge you would not believe.Also I see mothers in the local shop buying their little angels sweets,crisps etc on the way to school every morning.Maybe its their breakfast,I dunno! So although I think its a good idea to stop serving rubbish as school dinners I think there are a lot of parents out there who need educating too.Also I am really sick of picking up all the sarnies off my lawn Yuk! Okay I'll stop moaning now.

[metagirl]

true, i suppose we should count ourselves lucky that ruth kelly is able to be swayed. and really, it is difficult to find a counter argument in the face of turkey twizzlers.

[hannahjo]

Hi metagirl. I recon that they probably did know all along how rubbish it was, but they a bunch of sneaky wotsits and thought that as long as everyone kept quiet then the general pubic either wouldn�t be any wiser or wouldn�t know how to go about getting things changed. After all this whole change means more work for them. Thank god we have people like Jaime Oliver who will take a stand!

[hannahjo]

Bummer, jips got there before me!

[jipsquithesq]

don't worry hannahjo.

My point was ignored anyway....lmao

[metagirl]

hi jips, my response was actually to you! but vals must've hit the submit button before me.

they should probably introduce some sort of nutrition class into schools so kids are educated on the value of eating proper foods and the dangers of eating processed stuffs. Parents should be able to sit in as well!

I remember when I was a kid (wasn't that long ago really - 20 years) and we did have nutrition/ home economics class, which was mandatory. I don't think it is now, which is a shame. its not all about being a homemaker!

[twiglet4frog]

what annoys me is that the MP said today that they were working towards a healthy school meals system but have found it easier to progress with it thanks to jamie oliver. I see that as a slap in the face to Jamie as it is suggesting it was there idea all along and that jamie just helped them promote their idea for them!

[Gef]

Another load of nonsense trying to gather votes. I work in a school and for school lunch today I had scotch broth followed by chilli con carne. Most of the children chose to have a selection from chips, pizza, hamburger, veggieburger, chickenburger, fizzy drinks etc.

However, if the latter were not offered in the school most would simply go to the local shops and buy the same stuff.

How can you ban certain things in school? You cannot stop them bringing in crisps etc and you cannot stop them going out at lunchtime. If anyone is to blame it's the parent(s) and our fast food culture.

[hannahjo]

Yep, the parents and the fast food culture should definitely take a lot of the blame, but I also think a lot of the parents are also uneducated when it comes to food. I�m amazed everyday when looking at some of my colleagues and what their idea of healthy eating is! And these are grown adults!

The thing with junk food gef is that it has a major affect on your taste buds. It can alter them so much that anything that isn�t full of fat sugar or salt just doesn�t taste good. Plus all of these things are very highly addictive. So if chips, crisps, chocolate etc is on offer the majority of kids will go for it everytime. We need to somehow make kids eat the healthy stuff and over a period of time their taste buds will heal and they�ll learn to recognise natural flavours like the natural sugars in fruit. This should give them all the sweetness they need!

[metagirl]

of course banning junk in schools won't be the end all, but its a step in the right direction! Schools, as "seats of learning" shouldn't be seen to condone unhealthy practices.

Also, don't some children from low-income families have subsidised lunch? if so, this would definitely benefit them as if they are eating junk at home this will give them at least one meal where they eat healthy stuff. and they could help educate their families.