Patricia
Ann Alvares
If it’s recess, it’s time for the ‘ladoos’, ‘bhajiyas’ or
chilli powder dusted raw mangoes! Alas, such ‘junky’ indulgences are becoming a
thing of the past. As more schools adopt the healthy mind-healthy body route,
the contents of the tiffin box are being closely scrutinised for its nutritious
value. The fun factor for most students like Andrew Gouveia is being replaced
by a boring healthy menu.
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Promoting the concept of ‘eating simple and hygienic food as
a healthy way to life’ at his Sunshine Worldwide School, Old Goa, Deepak
Khaitan, Managing Trustee, maintains, “We endeavour to see that children eat
healthy and freshly cooked food and in quantities as much as a child can
consume and not more. Secondly, since some children are not comfortable with
non-vegetarian food, we do not allow it to be eaten at school. Aerated waters,
even at major events are banned.”
But he is allowing the children their indulgences. “We are
not banning favourite foods. Our focus is on healthy and freshly cooked food
without preservatives. Hence homemade French fries, chevdas, cookies or even
bhel-puri, wadas and samosas are permitted. Eating good ghee is healthy,” he
reiterates. A pre-planned menu discussed at the beginning of every month with
the PTA ensures that the canteen toes the line as well.
With the larger onus being passed on to the parents, the
added chore of preparing a healthy snack does become stressful. And with the two-minute
wonder Maggi noodles beating a hasty retreat off the shelves, the problem is
being compounded. “I am all for healthy food,” agrees working-mother-of-three
Sylvia Fernandes from Margao. “But trying to pack healthy tiffins becomes
tricky and cumbersome. The children loved noodles, but now even that has been
banned,” she laments.
But schools are keen to keep up the campaign and impart the
importance of nutritious food, beyond their environs, roping in both students
and parents. Recently commencing its healthy body-healthy mind campaign,
including a canteen policy, Don Bosco High School at Panjim wants to see the
message inculcated at every level. “Our idea is to create consciousness about
healthy food. We have constant reminders on the long-term benefits of eating
healthy, not only in school, but also outside, and the parents role in it. Similarly,
we have a visiting dietician who addresses this topic,” states Principal Fr
Avin Carvalho. To bring their plan to fruition, the school this year will have
teachers overseeing tuck and parents instructed about the same. The canteen
policy will ensure that only select items that meet their health standards will
be sold.
Their counterparts in the villages are however having a
tougher time implementing the rule. “We try to explain the benefits of eating
healthy and advise them to carry a nutritious meal, but these children prefer
to eat junk food from a nearby shop. Unfortunately, their parents are not very
supportive either,” states Principal Usha Naik of Radha Krishna High School,
Bicholim.
Out of the tiffin, the ‘junk’ food is invariably tempting,
but the overriding health factor cannot be ignored.
Box:
What’s
nutritious?
Parathas
Puris
Cookies
Sandwiches
Upma
Uttapam
Poha
Bhel-puri
Butter milk
Fresh juices
