PURPOSE

This discussion board activity is an opportunity to examine, reflect on, and analyze the typical foods that are served during breakfast and lunch at middle schools across America. Pretend you are a middle school student at this school. You will select a complete breakfast AND lunch from the SAME day of the week (your choice of the day). The menu is attached below.

TASK

Examine the attached Middle School food menu and select a complete breakfast AND lunch from the SAME day of the week (your choice of the day). Since we have already discussed cereal in depth, you cannot choose that option.

ACTIONS

Next, in this discussion activity, explain to your group what you selected. Things to include in your post:

Breakfast

• Make some general observations about the breakfast you selected in terms of its nutritional value. You may have to infer here. For example, you might assume "breakfast minis" are mini cinnamon rolls or "specialty bread" is banana nut bread.

Lunch

• Use an app like "My Fitness Pal" or the Diet & Wellness Plus software (green apple with red cross on right hand side) in MindTap to analyze the lunch you have chosen in terms of calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, etc. You must include the one main item as well as all the side items listed in your analysis. Obviously, you will need to make some assumptions when you enter the information into the program. For example, if you enter "Chicken Nuggets" and multiple entries come up, use your best guess to select the correct item and serving size. Explain what you have found.

General

• Reflect on your own middle school experiences with lunch. Did you buy school lunch or bring your own?
• Is it a school's job to teach health and nutrition to its students?
• Do you think schools should offer healthy options at lunch and in vending machines? Give examples.
• How often should schools offer physical education?
• What else might a school do to promote healthy eating and physical activity?