The USDA regulations requiring healthier foods to be served in school lunches are being rolled back, which means kids can go back to drinking chocolate milk, refined grains and more salt.

Kids will be eating less whole grains and more sugary milk in school lunches this year - see how federal rules have changed for the worse
http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-administration-relax-school-lunch-rules

According to this news story in the Business Insider, the regulations set in place in 2012 are being rolled back with the idea that kids weren't eating healthier foods anyway but were dumping it in the trash. However, studies have shown that kids are eating the healthier foods.

How will this affect your lunch program?

I think a lot of us has the idea that school lunch foods are icky, overly processed low-quality food, or at least that’s what we remember from our days in a school (a long long time ago).

But these days a lot of school districts are serving delicious foods made from scratch and it’s good that parents and the community in general knows about it.

What's in a school lunch? A Denver district wants parents to see for themselves
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2018/01/08/whats-in-a-school-lunch-a-denver

This news story form Chalkbeat tells about videos used by the Denver school district to show how their meals are made from scratch. The videos are out there on social media and look like the easy cooking videos we all see on Facebook. What a great idea.

Losing weight isn't easy - that's why there are hundreds of diet books, programs and sites devoted to dropping a few pounds. You probably already know the basics. Cut back on high calorie sugary and fatty foods and add in more veggies, fresh fruits and whole grains. But did you know that certain foods can help curb your appetite?

What are the best foods for weight loss?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320613.php

One of the hardest parts about losing weight is dealing with a big appetite and feeling hungry. But this news story from Medical News Today describes a study that sheds a little light on foods that can help because they help you feel full longer. Some of these hunger-busting foods include nuts, legumes, avocados, fruits, cruciferous veggies and eggs.

So what makes these foods so satiating? It's probably due to the proteins and/or the fiber you'll find in most of these foods. And they taste good (that always helps).

What You Can Do:

• Prepare a batch of hard boiled eggs to have on hand for a quick breakfast.
• Nibble on a handful of nuts and an apple as an afternoon snack.
• Make sure every meal includes protein and fiber (and watch portion sizes).

Adolescents who were bullied severely by other kids during childhood may be more likely to have depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. Since a lot of bullying can occur at school, it's something for teachers and administrators to understand.

Childhood bullying linked to suicide risk for teens
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-teens-bullying-suicide/childhood-bullying

This Reuters Health news story talks about a study that finds teens who endured severe bullying before they were 13 years old were twice as likely to be depressed and three times more likely to think about suicide compared to kids were weren't bullied.

What You Can Do:

• Ask kids about bullying and if they are being bullied, let them know they're not alone.
• Build self confidence in the kids who are being bullied.
• Use interventions at school so bullying doesn't become routine.

Helping kids deal with weight issues isn't easy and the way we talk to our kids about eating could make a difference in how they see themselves and the foods they eat. Of course, it's always good to be positive rather than negative.

How you speak to your child may fuel obesity
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320615.php

This news story from Medical News Today looks at a study that examines how language affects childhood obesity. The study team put mothers and kids together in a room with two cupcakes and watched them interact. They found that moms who had kids of a healthy weight were more likely to use indirect phrases such as “that’s too much” while mothers of obese kids were more likely to use direct phrases, such as “only eat one.”

This is just one study and much more research needs to be done before firm conclusions can be drawn, but it’s good to consider your words, your attitude and emotions when working with kids with weight problems.

Hotlunch.com is the only web-based system of its kind. Take a look at these testimonials to see how Hotlunch.com made an impact for these schools.
http://hotlunch.com/testimonials.html

• With Hotlunch.com you can publish lunch menus online, receive payments and automate administration of your Hotlunch at school.

• Hotlunch.com has been used by schools all over the nation to manage after school care, volunteer recruitment, capital campaigns and much more!

• Manage multiple schools, nutrition information, reduced fee lunches, inventory and much much more

• Faster Reports, and easier access, you can be up and running in less than an hour.

• Ask us how today. Call 1-888-376-7136 or email [email protected]

Hotlunch.com has expanded our online  presence to Facebook. The new Hotlunch.com Facebook Page will provide you a wealth of information and updates on School and Children's nutrition.

Hotlunch.com is giving back to underprivileged girls
Check out the progress we have made at www.ainiti.org
Please ask us how your school can help, email [email protected]