Vending machine’s in school
Hot topic!! Many of you will be surprised by my position on letting companies put vending machines in schools. Because I do not oppose vending machine’s being placed in schools! I know, I know what you are saying, “How could you Amy! How could you support something proven to further deteriorate the health of our children!“ But let me explain. I don’t support vending machines in school…but:
- I do not believe eliminating temptation from children is the best way to fight obesity!
- If we don’t teach our kids to make healthy choices, DESPITE their environmental temptations, it will be a losing battle.
- Once they get a job or even accompany you to get your oil changed, there will be VENDING MACHINES!
- We will never be able to remove junk food from our environment. Kids can learn to make good choices on their own, without us wasting tax payer money to take away choices and freedoms.
What do you think?
And PS.. I’m so surprised so many of you have had trouble with your garden too. I’m actually glad. My husband and I don’t feel so lame now.
Posted: August 26th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from Sarah
Time August 27, 2009 at 10:27 am
I completely agree! I have a sugar hound for a son and I am having a hard time teaching him about choices though, and I don’t know what else to do….any ideas? They serve chocolate milk at school and it bothers me b/c he won’t drink the regular milk when chocolate is in front of him. This is just one example. I’ve tried letting him choose 2 days to drink the chocolate milk and the rest white, but he says the white milk in cartons tastes funny and makes him sick. If you have any suggestions, I’m open!
Comment from Amy
Time August 28, 2009 at 5:23 am
Sarah: Have you tried sending a juice box to school instead (the kind with 100% juice?)? My kids also like to bring their own little 8 oz water bottles.
It’s a tough one for sure. All I can say is keep talking about the choices you think are better, and one day (it may take awhile), but one day it will click with him.
Good luck!
Comment from cathy
Time August 28, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Hmmm…I would have to disagree with you on this one. I am completely and totally against vending machines in school. Yes, they’ll have to face temptation later on, but they are barraged with temptation in (and out) of school already. How are they to learn to eat properly when the school is setting such a horrid example for them? I think that of course a parent has to set the tone, but I also think that it’s a schools responsibility – one that most seem to take all too lightly – to teach by example good food habits.
So, yeah. We have to teach them to resist that temptation and go for the right choices, but I’ve already seen how swaying it is when an entity that my child trusts (like a school) implies that a product is ok for you because they serve or use it. Shame on schools for allowing vending machines on their premises!
Comment from Amy
Time August 28, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I knew I was opening a can of worms with that one. You make some great points! Another reader disagreed too, and posted her ideas here. http://www.unsafeatanysize.com/2009/08/26/vending-machines-in-schools-no/
Have a great weekend!
Comment from Amber Gay
Time October 16, 2009 at 7:08 am
Yall are very wrong There`s nothing wrong with being FAT
Comment from Christy
Time August 26, 2009 at 9:27 am
You are right. There is temptation everywhere. WE have to teach our children to make wise decisions and food choices are one of the most important decisions we make over and over and over again.