The balanced diet in the canteen is done in 25 minutes
If we listen to the “laws” on the time allotted to meals in the canteen, children would have about thirty minutes to eat. Unfortunately, this is only theory, since in reality, they have about fifteen minutes, as there are so many of them in schools. Those who are lucky enough to be able to eat in twenty-five minutes (roughly!) have more facilities toeat balanced. What for? Because they have time to choose their vegetables and fruits as an accompaniment to meat or fish and even as a starter.
25 minutes = healthier meal for children
Contrary to the hearsay we hear every day, the break time for the meal is particularly important for better transit and digestion. A typical example is the United States, where the most disadvantaged children receive free or cheap meals. These meals are not consistent or balanced. There is a considerable lack of caloric intake on a daily basis. Apart from that, an express meal has been shown to lead to malnutrition. In this case, the food taken is rather those that are cooked quickly and can be ingested “without chewing”. Digestion is hardly done. Fruits and vegetables, even dairy products are largely neglected. What for? Because they don’t have time to peel it or finish eating.
Caught up in time, they try to eat their entire starter and main course to get the maximum amount of nutrients. Dessert therefore becomes optional. Sometimes they start directly with the main course. The starter is therefore put in the same sign as the dessert. By giving children a short break, key foods are not ingested, calcium, fiber and cereals useful for the proper functioning of the body are not absorbed.
A minimum of 25 minutes
Breakfast is essential to start the day, but lunch is just as essential to continue it. 25 minutes is a good amount of time for half-boarders. They choose the fruits or dairy products they want, they eat normally chewing well. Digestion is therefore natural. Caloric needs are met, no state of fatigue is felt in the afternoon.
The energy that the body requires for better concentration is indeed there. In reality, to the regret of all of us, this is not so. Children are only allowed ten minutes to eat, they eat on the go. Why not put in place more efficient staff, fewer queues or more people inclined to serve the “young” properly?
Speed correlated with obesity
On the health side, children, at this level, are badly off. Politicians advocate balanced diet, but are they sure they are doing the right thing? They tend to forget that this balance also lies in the duration of the meal. They advocate the benefits of meat, dairy products, fish and fruits/vegetables, but they forget to look at what happens in canteens. School children do not finish their meals, they eat too fast. So how can we talk about balance? This way of doing things can only have harmful consequences in terms of metabolism. The caloric intake is insufficient, the feeling of satiety is not felt. What happens next? What’s next? On their way home, these young people throw themselves on snacks, sweets, soft or sugary drinks, causing overweight or even obesity.
Eating and chewing properly in a sufficient amount of timesignificantlyreduces the chances of overweight and obesity. So, all to your plates and take the time to eat! An article that echoes, in particular, theone we published on the HapiFork forkmore than 2 years ago.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.