Since you were young, you were taught that junk food is bad for you. So why do plenty of restaurants still serve it? Why is it still a very popular food choice for a lot of people? And most importantly, why do schools still serve it when they should be teaching students to have healthy eating habits? There are many reasons why junk food remains a staple food choice in today’s society. For example, multiple food companies produce thousands of processed junk food so it is widely and readily available almost anywhere.
We can’t expect that to stop anytime in the near future since that will shut down a lot of major corporations in the country and the affected businesses will certainly oppose that. But what about in schools, where the meal choices can ideally be more controlled? Should they implement a junk food ban in school cafeterias? Will it be the most beneficial move for the students, their families, and the educational institution? To determine where you stand on this issue, check out the advantages and disadvantages of making junk food available in schools.
List of Pros of Serving Junk Food in Schools
1. It allows schools to quickly prepare meals for a large number of students.
With the limited resources and manpower that schools have in preparing food, junk food is a beneficial alternative as it is easier and quicker to prepare. This also allows them to feed more students in a faster time, ensuring everyone is fed on time.
2. It provides a more affordable alternative.
Not everyone can afford gourmet meals and even fruits and vegetables every day. Junk food is just a cheaper option. And with students who have limited funds, they need affordable alternatives to make sure they get enough food while in school. Schools who have limited funds also don’t have much choice but to serve more affordable junk food.
3. It gives variety to meals.
Most kids quickly get bored with things that don’t give variety, and that includes food. Some might even prefer to go hungry rather than have greens all week long. Schools can still add junk food to the menu as a variety every now and then as long as they are cooked in a ‘healthier’ way.
List of Cons of Serving Junk Food in Schools
1. It is unhealthy.
It is common knowledge that junk food contains high levels of sugar, sodium, and harmful additives. Most are cooked in oil and some contain toxic preservatives to lengthen their shelf life.
2. It causes health problems.
One of the major causes of obesity in kids is an unhealthy diet composed mostly of junk food. Metabolic problems, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver ailments, kidney disease, weak immune systems, hormonal imbalances, and cancer are some health problems associated with consuming junk food. Simply put, it’s unhealthy.
3. It affects students’ performance.
Junk food affects the physical and cognitive performance of children. They will have trouble concentrating and can become slow learners. They will have trouble coping up with physical activities and perform poorly in sports.
Unless the government, schools, parents, and the community can provide a better, healthier, and more affordable alternative to serving junk food, it will continue to be an issue.