Food isn't Trash

Food isn't trash. Of course, it is true that our stomachs can get full easily, and some foods are just not enjoyable to everyone, but what people do not see is that every day, tons of perfectly good food is thrown away. It is bad enough that we throw away our food, but it is worse when that food is perfectly fine to eat. Schools need to take immediate action against this and so do students. Schools should let students decide the size of their portions, and students should only buy food that they will eat. Finally, students should not be allowed to throw large amounts of food away, or there will be more consequences than just wasted food.

One definite way we can reduce this is by letting students choose their food portions. A survey was taken of 51 7th grade students at UWCSEA East. 36% of grade 7 said that Sodexo meals are average sized. 28% said that it was below average and not more than 12% of the students said that their food portions were above average. This evidently shows that there should be at least three options of portion sizes for students to choose from, to avoid them dumping food that the school has provided for them. This will not only cut down on food wastage but keep the child refreshed, which could lead to a better, more focused approach to their learning.

Students should only take food that they will eat. It is not just a waste of money when children throw away their meals, but a waste of resources and time as well. If children bought food that they want to eat, they would finish it. At UWCSEA, students play many sports and get plenty of exercise. The right amount of food in combination with a lot of exercise can improve their nutrition and health. Sometimes on one’s plate remains food that is inedible, like banana peels, bread crusts etc. Instead of binning food, one good solution is to throw it in compost bins which are found near the gardens and music area. According to Zion Lights from OneGreenPlanet.org, composting is not only good for the soil and earth but can reduce emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels.
Therefore, this is beneficial for us and our planet.

Another way we can take action against this is not to let students throw away their food. Since many students clearly waste a lot of food, our school in particular should get teachers who are working lunch shifts to stand by the food bins and check how much food is being thrown away. Awareness should be spread as well, only then will people waste less. Not only should action be taken at school, but everywhere in the world. According to Channel News Asia, 790 million kg of food was wasted in Singapore during 2014, which is equivalent to each person in Singapore throwing away 2 bowls of food every day. There are organisations in Singapore where volunteers pick up leftover food from restaurants and donate it to poorer families.

A small course of action to keep away food wastage can go a long way.
Of course this is not only the school’s responsibility, but students as well. It is one thing for schools to make their students stop, but it is different when the students themselves learn to stop. There are many children all around the world who starve for days without a single grain of food. Food is a resource, not something we should take for granted. So spread the word. Food isn’t trash.

Bibliography:

Lights, Zion. "5 Reasons Why Composting Is the Greenest Thing You Can Do." One Green Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.

Othman, Liyana. "Singapore Needs to Rethink Food Wastage: Masagos." Channel NewsAsia. Mediacorp News Group © 2016, 10 Jan. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

There's more to food than meat

Dear Sodexo, have you ever thought about providing a wider range of vegetarian food options in the canteen that is available to both staff and students? According to a recent poll where 100 people were surveyed, 84% supported the idea of a separate vegetarian stall in the canteen as part of Sodexo. The idea of promoting veganism in school canteens is a highly controversial issue. There are many positive and negative effects that do occur with ‘vegan’ food - especially for a growing child. But speaking as a semi-vegan myself and for others as well, I feel that my daily meal options are very deprived. The current vegan options in the school canteen are not as specialised and are therefore lacking nutrients. While some view that vegan food in the school canteen do not show any type of demand, therefore is not likely to sell. I, however believe that addressing the demand for vegan food can be more likely to sell due to the large amount of vegans and semi - vegans on campus that currently bring a packed lunch.

I take position that the school canteen should provide an increased amount of vegetarian meal options as they are beneficial to the health and wellbeing of student and staff. There is no doubt that an increased amount of vegetarian options in the canteen can lead to many positive health benefits for both students and staff: such as an increase in energy, disease prevention, and fewer risks of obesity and strokes. However, it is likely that the demand for non - vegetarian options in the canteen is greater than the demand for vegetarian options. I find that currently, the only ‘semi’ vegetarian stall in the canteen is the salad bar and even then, this restricts some vegetarians from choosing this as their meal option - due to the lack of alternatives to animal meat. Presumably, an increased amount of vegan food options in the canteen can be beneficial to both vegans and non-vegans alike.

The first reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because it boosts one’s amount of energy - which is especially needed in a working and schooling environment.
Michael F. Roizen quotes that good nutrition generates more usable energy.
This shows that a balanced vegetarian diet is naturally free of cholesterol-laden, artery-clogging animal products that are physically slowing us down. An unbalanced diet with inaccurate nutrition keeps us hitting the snooze button morning after morning. Due to the fact that whole grains, fruits and vegetables are so high in complex carbohydrates: they supply the body with plenty of energizing fuel - which is more than what meat can offer. Eating meat causes the buildup of fat in your bloodstream - which means that arteries will not function as efficiently and your muscles will not receive enough oxygen. The result? You feel zapped. I believe that in a school environment where students and staff work endlessly to the point of exhaustion, every little bit of energy counts. Regaining and making up for some of that energy lost: be it from sleeping late, working long hours and undergoing crazy amounts of stress is crucial in order to keep moving forward throughout the day. Vegan food can help to rebuild that energy that is lost by boosting your body and mind with powerful greens.

However, protein is what supplies our body with the energy that it needs to move, breathe, and carry out its daily tasks. Without the adequate alternatives and balanced diet to match, the positive benefits that vegan food has on your body will be likely to deplete. Animal products, like meat - are readily available, cost effective and simple to prepare - unlike the time and effort that is needed to carry out a vegan dish.

From personal experience, eating a balanced vegetarian diet keeps me in a good mood and makes me feel energized and refreshed. Eating a salad for lunch doesn’t make me feel bloated or ‘too’ full: it provides a sufficient amount of nutrients for my body and leaves me ‘boosted’ - ready to conquer my day. However, when I choose to eat a meat dish for lunch, my body feels the exact opposite and doesn’t receive the benefits inside and out that it does compared to a vegan dish.

However, meat is sometimes the easiest option as there are often not many available specialised vegan options in the school canteen. I hate to say this, but ‘meat is sometimes the easiest way out.’

The second reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because it promotes longevity and is likewise a healthier option than most meats.
Michael F. Roizen quotes that If you switch from the standard American diet to a vegan diet, you can add about 13 healthy years to your life.
I believe that this is one of the main reasons why more and more people from all walks of life are accepting and promoting a ‘vegan’ way of modern living. This has even been proven by the residents of Okinawa, Japan - believed to have the longest life expectancies in the world. Their secret? A low-calorie diet of unrefined complex carbohydrates, fiber-rich fruits,vegetables, soy and a strictly no meat regime.

People who consume saturated, cholesterol laden, four-legged fat have a shorter lifespan than those who consume vegan food - which is full of fiber and antioxidant rich produce.
However, despite the potential health benefits of vegan food, these results are in no way automatic. They are possibly attainable when you opt for healthy foods, such as: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and seeds. Vegetarian diets that rely on refined grains, sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages and solid fats can be just as unhealthy as diets that include meat. Also, vegetarians have a high risk of nutrient deficiencies in minerals and vitamins such as: Vitamin B12, Protein, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin D and Riboflavin. In which can only be obtained through the consumption of animal meat, and play vital roles in the function of the human body. If a school canteen is not well educated and nutrient savvy whilst creating specialised vegan meal options, there can be many nutrient deficiencies and setbacks inflicted on students.

I do not believe in completely transforming the school canteen into a vegan paradise (although that would be marvellous). But as you can see, an increased amount of vegetarian dishes can have many positive impacts on a human’s body compared to the consumption of meat. A few more specialised vegetarian dishes incorporated into the school's lunch stalls and a wider variety for us, vegans and ‘semi’ vegans on campus can be life changing. While also promoting priceless health benefits that meat just cannot live up to.

The third reason why vegan food positively benefits the human body is because there are fewer liabilities of disease occurring.
The George Washington University School of Medicine states that an estimated 70% of all diseases, including 1/3 of all cancers, are related to diet.
Vegan food can help to prevent the onset of obesity, high cholesterol, strokes and diseases. However, I believe that this is also one’s own responsibility to ensure their meal option is balanced and nutritious. This can really mean the difference between receiving positive or negative benefits for your body based on what you choose to eat. The Standard American diet is high in saturated fats and processed foods, while lacking in plant based food and complex carbohydrates: causing obesity and killing us slowly. It has been known that most vegans display a certain characteristic. They are deliberate in their food choices, have strong willpower and are far less likely to binge eat or ‘eat their emotions’: two habits that greatly contribute to obesity. In which is not a bad characteristic to influence a schooling environment where childhood obesity is on the rise.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quotes that 64% of adults and 15% of children aged 6 to 19 are overweight and are at risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
However, the George Washington University School of Medicine has confirmed that vegetarian diets offer an important benefit for the management of diabetes and can even reduce the likelihood of development by one half. I believe that with diabetes on the rise amongst children and adolescents, it is of utmost importance that kids are trained to eat greens from a young age in order to prevent future heart diseases, strokes and diabetes.

Despite this, there are many difficulties that come with providing vegan meals in a school canteen. Meeting the school canteens requirements by incorporating a minimum amount of protein in vegan meal can seemingly prove to be a struggle. From personal experience, being a picky eater and attempting to devour vegan meals doesn’t help your body in any way. Stacking on those missing nutrients that the body really needs in order to function is essential.

Veganism in school canteens is no nuanced expression to the modern world as it is proven that nearly 5 million Americans, or more than 2% of the population follow some form of a vegan diet.
It is clear that vegan food can have both positive and negative impacts on a human’s health.
Sodexo should be attending to the wide range of student’s and staffs needs and while there is clearly a demand for more vegan options in the canteen - it wouldn’t hurt to try it out. Possibly, it may fall through or draw in more customers. It is clear that there is an abundance of options for students who are non - vegan. But what about those who are? Providing equal choice and opinion to students and staff is absolutely necessary. Raising awareness about veganism is a great way to allow non-vegans to realise how much good vegan food can do for your body. It has become increasingly mainstream as more and more people from all walks of life, young and old discover the benefits of living ‘green’. Not to mention - vegan food is absolutely delicious, grants a break from animal meat and allows a unique experience for meat lovers.

MLA Citations:

"9 Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet." Dr Groups Natural Health Organic Living Blog. N.p., 01 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"The Potential Health Risks of a Vegetarian Diet." EverydayHealth.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Samsung Galaxy Blog." Samsung Galaxy Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Veganise Your School Canteen in 5 Easy Steps | PETA UK." PETA UK Veganise Your School Canteen in 5 Easy Steps Comments. N.p., 03 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Why Go Veg?" Vegetarian Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Why Go Vegan?" The Vegan Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

Social Medias Impact On Teens

       Nowadays, teenagers have all the digital devices you can think of and they all come with social media apps. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, all affect teenagers in different ways. One might argue that having social media helps improve lifestyles like being more fit and healthy from seeing models and how they look, but in the long run, teens become dissatisfied with their appearance and become very insecure about their body, feel a state of depression or anxiety. Perfect Illusions PBS said that 42% of girls in grade 1 - 3 want to be thinner. No one that young should be feeling self-conscious about their body. 78% of 17 year olds, girls especially, are unsatisfied with how they look. Seems unbelievable, right? That’s not it. 46% of high schoolers have an eating disorder. If social media is affecting kids and teens this much, why do we continue to have social media? The false body image that is being carelessly thrown out to the world has got to stop. Would you want to being living life like this? If you are, why?

        Instagram is flooded with perfect body images which are almost always photoshopped to reach this ideal body that no one really has naturally. In many cases, at a young age, people are exposed to social media and perfect models that stand on the page. Body images can create false fantasies for young girls, such as making them want to look a certain way even though everyone has their own body type. Teenagers start to have this image in their head of what they need to look like in order to be beautiful and when teens look at their flaws, they become depressed, but mostly very insecure. The article Social Media: A new source of insecurities, says that at age 13 teens become to recognise the image you don’t have and by 17 years old, it only becomes more noticeable to them and worse. Even though a teenage girl could end up being as “perfect” as other models or celebrities, she will still tend to not feel satisfied with herself because each model looks different. Luckily, throughout time people start accepting who they are and what they look like, but very slowly it happens.

        Now, I know for a fact that almost all the seventh graders at my school find themselves in bed with their phone checking social media. New posts of Cara Delevingne and her unique looks or maybe looking through Kendall Jenner’s Instagram account. No matter what person you wish you could look like, we all think about it. Going to bed becomes a struggle and it’s as if the phone sits on your bed just taunting you to pick it up and continue the searching. “Increase of vulnerability for the onset of depression and anxiety, and poor sleep quality may contribute to this,” Cleland Woods said. Lack of sleep because of social media can make teens depressed and more sensitive to things, such as how they look. The study, from British Psychological Society showed that nighttime social media use relates to poorer sleep quality. It also results to higher anxiety and depression.

        Being self-conscious about yourself can lead to way more then wanting new clothes. Personality changes and mood swings are some of the many emotional things that can happen. Growing up can be hard enough, but when jealousy of girls, models, or actresses come into place, it makes it even harder when you are still figuring out who you are. Girls may become intimidated by other women, who are on television shows, or are famous. Teenagers may treat others in a rude manner because of the influence they hear through the internet or through media. The Huffington Post said “25 percent admitted to difficulties in relationships because of social media". Sadly, anxiety squirms into teens head and in some cases, it can become so difficult that they become very depressed.

        Overall, social media and the false body image it puts out, creates too many unnecessary problems for teens. It causes anxiety, depression and insecurity. Teenagers are already experiencing changes and figuring out who they really are, but when social media comes into place, it makes it very difficult for teens. Teens are so emotionally attached to social media these days that it can hurt relationships and how you feel about yourself. On the other hand, social media can provide a rich source of information and help people stay connected. Teenagers need to be responsible and learn how to manage how much screen time they have. But, how much teens are hurt, needs to stop.