OUR TURN: MFISD meal plan is a healthy choice for kids

A new day is dawning for cafeterias in the Marble Falls Independent School District. In an effort to trim costs, the district also trimmed meal choices for students returning to school.

It is a wise decision. In addition to saving the district some money, this also is a better approach to nutrition.

While at first that might sound counterintuitive, think about it.

Children at this stage still are maturing and learning to make the right decisions, so sometimes giving them a variety to pick from means too much of a good thing.

In this case, limiting choices at mealtimes is the right policy. Especially since the district says fewer children are eating cafeteria meals now that extra foods — many of them unfamiliar to the kids — have been introduced.

By cutting down on selections, the district can encourage children to eat healthier. This is a case of less means more.

Children need to be fortified for their school day by eating healthy and delicious meals. Studies show kids who don’t eat well can’t focus on their lessons, tire faster and suffer health issues. And for some children, school is the only place where they can find a balanced meal.

And while it’s true the district has taken over cafeteria services from a private contractor to save money, there is more at stake here than shaving off a few bucks.

Last year, the district’s cafeterias switched to the Gold Star Menu under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s and Texas Department of Agriculture’s move toward providing healthier meal choices for students.

Although the concept was a good one, students were less than inspired by the culinary leap.

Pupils suddenly had seven to nine selections for fruits and vegetables.

Main courses also changed to less-familiar dishes.

Sounds good on the surface, right? More variety and new foods to try.

But it didn’t work out that way.

The cafeterias dropped from serving 5,000 meals a day during breakfast and lunch to about 4,600 last year

The kids didn’t recognize some of the dishes — especially those in the elementary schools.

Instead of being excited and challenged by the variety, the kids were overwhelmed.

Anyone who has raised a child knows the best formula for serving a meal is to keep it nutritious, delicious and simple.

The district this year is wisely returning to the previous breakfast and lunch menus — particularly at the elementary level.

Obviously, keeping the meals wholesome and healthy are priorities.

The menu will continue emphasizing nutritious selections including whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

But now the students will pick from three choices, not nine.

These will be foods that students like, but also are healthy.

Students need to eat balanced, nutritious meals. If they’re skipping cafeteria meals, and aren’t bringing a lunch from home, they are putting themselves at a disadvantage.

The school district is getting back to basics by feeding children just what they want — and need. This is a sound policy.

Bon appétit, kids.