Food can be a tricky subject. I will not claim to be a nutrition expert. Of course, I want my students to eat fruits and vegetables. At the same time, I don’t want them to feel like terrible people just because they eat chips or cookies. Nor do I want them to judge someone based on their food choices or body size. However, I am concerned about what food my students eat because they may not be getting the necessary nutrients they need. I am frustrated with outlooks that don’t consider the student’s health and wellness when including rewards. I’m privileged to have worked at different schools with different demographics, both by race and social-ecological status. From my point of view, the most significant difference between these schools was the relationship with food.

At one school, students could only eat in the cafeteria, and students could eat what the cafeteria provided or bring food from home. Snacking in class was not allowed because the contract with the exterminator would not allow it. At another school, students are permitted to use a vending machine, and there are constant fundraisers and rewards that include food and candy for good behavior. Seeing the drastic cultural difference and what students can eat, or purchase is interesting. At one school, parents would absolutely pitch a fit if students had access to candy or large amounts of sweets. Why the differences? I can only hypothesize. Perhaps the need for funding, different accepted diets, different behavior issues before and after lockdown from covid, maybe different district policies? Possibly at one school, parents do not have time or access to cook their students’ meals. A language barrier may prevent parents from knowing what’s going on at the school.

From a health perspective, I worry about some of my students access to fruits and vegetables. I understand that health is more than never eating candy or chocolate. However, students constantly rewarded with sweets could create an unhealthy relationship with food. Mathematically, 200 or 300 extra calories daily could make a big difference over the course of a year. In my experience, middle school students have difficulty moderating everything, food included. I am not a neurologist, but I assume this has something to do with their developing frontal lobe.

On another note, Schools that receive federal funding for lunch are “required” to adhere to federal laws. Thus, food and snacks must meet specific regulations. This is a district policy that, in some schools, is overlooked and unchecked. I ask why? I understand the value of students learning, and I also understand that schools need money/supplies, and other materials. I can also empathize that classroom management can be extremely challenging. Candy can be an efficient way to reward students with something they love. However, this should not come at the cost of their health. Via the research I’ve done, if students can access vending machines, they will eat from them. If students have access to fruits and vegetables, they will eat them. We must set students up for success by making it easy to eat fruits and veggies.

Food and our relationship with food as a culture is complex. However, from my biased point of view, nothing should be above our children’s health. Health is complicated, and schools play a role in the health of many children. Thus we have a responsibility to advocate for students’ well-being, not just their test scores 🙂

So what can we do? We could provide alternative rewards for good behavior and schoolwork, such as stickers, pencils, and small toys. Additionally, we could do a better job of advocating for community resources from local farmers so our students have access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Something I have found successful is talking to our school’s PTSA or finding grant opportunities to give schools better options when students are hungry. Gardening could be a powerful way for students to make connections between physical activity and nutrition. If vending machines “must” happen, we can ensure students have access to nutritious foods that follow federal and district guidelines.

I hope this blog provides a convincing argument to make students’ food choices a priority!

Check out @pe_mullis’ blog post on schools’ relationship with food. It highlights the complexities of nutrition, rewards, and student health. Our children’s health should always come first! #slowchathealth

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This guest blog post was written by Adam Mullis, an awesome educator who you should definitely follow on social media. Please consider writing a guest post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com

Pair this post with the following:

No More Cupcakes for Birthday Parties by Jess Lawrence

The Power of Good Nutrition: Does Your Behavior Match Your Goal? by Jim Davis

The Joy Of Eating by Nadia Moya

Have you read the latest Book of the Month recommendation?