What did you eat for lunch today? We ate sort of junk food AGAIN, which makes us feel so guilty and regretful of what we ate again. Moreover, we ate more than we are supposed to eat!!
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| Picture by S. Hermann & F. Richer Used Under CC |
Does this sound familiar to you? We hope not, but it is probably not so easy to start eating healthy from tomorrow on? At least, not so easy in our case. We UNDERSTAND good food, or good nutrition, of a right portion makes us physically and mentally healthy, but WHY can't we take actions based on this understanding?
Some scientists argue that our eating habits acquired in our childhood have something to do with the challenge we face in gearing towards good patterns and consequences. Their argument sounds really convincing because what we have been eating and seems familiar tastes good and gives us happy feelings. Deprived of these familiar food items, we would sort of crave for them, right?
Almost all Japanese people say their home-made (or my "mother's") miso soup is the best. Yes, they are used to their mother's recipe with right amount of miso (English: fermented soybean paste for miso soup) and broth, and its ingredients, which they have developed its tastes over time, or essentially acquired No.1 tastes.
That is what Japanese "Shokuiku" (English: Nutrition Education) has been aiming at. Lunch is provided for children AT elementary and junior high schools. The monthly menus for school lunch are planned and released ahead of time. Dietitians are actively involved in the menu planning for balanced diets, under the supervision of local governments. For each meal, nutrients, the total calories, the choice of items young children like/should eat, and to name a few, all of which are indispensable elements of school lunch.
Milk has been playing an important role since school lunch was legitimized and introduced in 1954 (for ALL the students, affluent or less affluent). Elementary and junior high school students drink a 200 ml bottle of milk every day, which is decided by a law. The nutrients contained in the milk are, of course, counted for the balanced school lunch.
Other important objectives include 1) to teach primary school students the importance of nutrition, 2) letting them understand how enjoyable it is to eat together with their classmates, and 3) acquiring good eating habits while developing a good sense of quality food... and good and collaborative manners.
At the lunch time, students take turns in serving food in the classroom where they normally eat the lunch. Wearing an apron and a face mask, some students in their turn pour miso soup, for instance, into small individual cups, while others wait in line and get their portions. All the food has been served, all the students sit, say loud "itadakimasu" in chorus (English: "we are so thankful for this food"), and start eating. This sort of ritual has NOT changed much for all these years, which is considered to be great part of "Shokuiku."
With empty stomach, students cannot learn anything at school, right? Especially for those young children, who need nutrients for their growth, the school lunch is a brilliant social arrangement. Needless to say, for those who cannot be fed breakfast at home for some reason, this is a life-line, not just in terms of health but also to fulfill their right to education, or one of the fundamental rights as a human.
This social enterprise called School Lunch surely has a trajectory in mind that will benefit the students' future well-being both physically and psychologically. Yes, eating nourishes mind as well as body. What do you think?
If you are interested in how health-consciousness dominates in Nagoya, please check this out.
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