Kudos to Calgary schools for banning junk food

Although I prefer educating people to make wise choices as opposed to banning undesirable behaviours or choices, I was pleased to see the Calgary Board of Education begin their ban on junk food in schools this week.

You do not have to be a nutritionist to know that a well-fed brain learns better.  Before the new guidelines began there was concern among the school volunteers I interact with about how we could still make special occasions "fun" with the new rules. It always interests me that we attach sugary treats to special occasions. Hopefully, this new policy will force us to be more creative in making healthy choices celebratory as well as a part of daily eating.

Now, if we could only get the elementary schools here (not all school do this) to let children eat their snacks inside. It goes against my idea of how to teach healthy, eating habits when you make children grab a snack and wolf it down as they run around the playground. It seems like a training ground for a drive- thru generation.

Mindful eating is essential to healthy eating. This outdoor eating is also not highly compatible with my desire to provide litter-less lunches as the children have no place to put their returnable containers. Imagine how much you would enjoy your snack in -20 weather.

Yet all long journeys begin with a single step. So kudos for this first step in Calgary schools.