Every day at The Columbus School, students get to choose what they eat for lunch. Some choose salads or rice bowls, while others pile their trays with crispy fries and chicken. With so many options, are students making healthy choices? Are the school meals as balanced as they should be?

The food students eat at TCS is vital for their health, energy levels, and academic performance. But with fried options being among the most popular, there’s growing concern over whether school lunches are truly balanced. This investigation dives into student preferences, nutritional value, and waste management practices within the cafeteria.

Cafeteria staff member Yakeline Mesquera, who helps with meal preparation daily, sheds light on food choices and consumption trends. She highlights that, while the “Asado” (grill) is a favorite among students, she has noticed that some groups tend to make healthier choices than others.

“Lo que más les gusta a los estudiantes es el asado, pero he notado que los estudiantes que son deportistas comen cosas más saludables, como bowl, ensalada o menú del día, que son almuerzos más completos y saludables,” Mesquera, cafeteria staff member, said.

Despite having healthier options, fried foods remain constant in the cafeteria. The amount of fried foods eaten every day, especially French fries, is alarming.

“Hoy sacaron 4 canastillas más o menos, y por 2 canastillas es un bulto. Entonces, hoy serían como 100 kilos de papas. Sin embargo, en días normales, normalmente hacemos 50 kilos de papa. Hoy es más por el nuevo plato en el menú: twister,” Mesquera said.

Recently, a new option on the menu was added, called the “Twister.” It consists of fried chicken, french fries and drink of choice, making it one of the most unhealthy options on the menu. 

“Aunque creo que el Twister sí puede contribuir a que los estudiantes coman menos saludable, igual está la opción de que le añadan algo saludable, como zanahoria. Igual este plato no se da todos los días, gracias a Dios,” Mesquera said.

Some students feel that while the cafeteria offers variety, the available options are often unbalanced. This comes mainly from the fact that students don’t know how to choose balanced meals and often chose what’s tastier rather than going for a full meal with protein and vegetables.

“I think lunch is balanced in terms of the options they offer. However, students don’t eat the balanced way, and they always choose the carbohydrates because they are very tempting, I eat fried stuff over three to four times a week,” Susana Pertuz, a senior student, said.

She believes that in order to make students have healthier diets, the cafeteria needs to cut down on the fried options so students have to choose the healthier ones at least some days of the week.

“I would suggest that Servi Express remove some of the carbohydrates and all of that fried stuff, at least some days a week because it is what students most likely choose, and it’s the unhealthiest option,” Pertuz said.

When it comes to energy levels, she notices a clear difference between eating healthy and eating fried foods. Over time, she has seen that her choices during lunchtime directly impact her physical and mental well-being.

“When I eat fried foods, my energy levels are lower, and I feel very bloated. But when I eat healthy food, I feel like I have a lot of energy and I want to work out,” Pertuz said.

Santiago Mejia, a 12th-grade student, offers a more balanced perspective. While he acknowledges the popularity of fried foods, he believes the variety of options is enough.

“I normally eat a bowl that has rice, chicken, salad, and lots of vegetables, but I also like asado. However, I try to eat all the options there are, so I don’t get tired of just eating one thing,” Mejia said.

When it comes to convenience, many students choose what to eat based on which line moves faster and how much time they have to eat, especially when they have to study or go talk to a teacher.

“The fastest line is the salad since there are always few people and also the asado line. I think sometimes just because of convenience and quickness, people tend to choose the asado line more,” Mejia said.

Unlike students like Pertuz, Mejia believes eating healthy is up to the students, not up to the cafeteria. When asked if there should be more or fewer fried options, he states,

“I think the amount of fried food that there is right now, it’s perfect,” Mejia said.

Insights from both students and kitchen staff make it clear that while healthier options are available, fried foods continue to dominate in Servi Express. Many students enjoy them for their taste and convenience, while others recognize the benefits of eating healthy. Nonetheless, leading a healthy diet is crucial for student performance.

“According to experts, nutrition impacts brain development, memory and cognitive function, energy, attention and focus, which are all critical to the ability to absorb and retain information.”(Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, 2023).

Furthermore, the amount of fried food consumed at TCS is alarming, since eating fried foods many times a week can lead to health problems.

“Eating fried foods four or more times per week has been strongly associated with an increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.”(Avera.org, 2019)

While some argue that reducing fried foods could encourage better eating habits, others believe that having options is essential. This is why finding a middle ground, by promoting healthier alternatives without eliminating popular options might be the best way forward. However, this is still a topic of constant debate and the key question remains: Should schools take action to reduce fried options, or is it ultimately up to students to make healthier choices?