Okay I've got a lot more info now. None of the other neighboring districts have offered salt packets for years now - for some reason Paulding was but probably shouldn't have been. So now they don't. It would have helped if they had started this with the start of the new year instead of this week...I know it's early, but I just wouldn't have noticed! The goal is to season the food with an appropriate amount of salt prior to serving. In this case it was salad - most don't salt salad because the salt is in the dressing! So it's not like our kids are going to be presented with bland, completely unseasoned food and denied their salt packets.
It also would have helped if they did not try to say it's a federal law. It's not. There are guidelines and restrictions and this helps the nutrition staff monitor sodium. Yes, the cafeteria staff will take the heat - they'll probably improve their explanation over time and the kids will adjust. Those who want salt can bring it. To the parent who said they'll bring salt shakers...that's much less practical than getting a box of salt packets for occasional use. Can you imagine salt in a bookbag?!? Yikes!
The article posted by mrshoward was really interesting...but I don't think we're going to sell that any time soon to decision makers. Sodium will continue to be the enemy. The restrictions next year will likely be much stronger. I hope they reach a reasonable amount of sodium so kids will eat the food and not have to bring their own salt - then it's hard to control what they put in their food! As for iodine, that should be in the salt used to season the food before the kids get it so they should be fine.
All great questions and comments; very interesting discussion - NOW I can say I understand so I can explain it to DD. Whew! That's what I call a successful vent!
Oh and one more thing. I predict a war on the machines next year. Sorry for the lost revenue, but the days of the unlimited chips may be numbered!
I'll admit it:
My name is Fishnthec and I am a salt addict. My body actually craves it. Grits without salt...yucky. I salt granny smith apples, grapefruit, lemons, oh and my favorite drinks at the mexican restaurant wouldn't be the same without it. If salt is is ever really illegal I will be running an underground salt network.
It would be nice if parents would cook food for their kids, seasoned with fresh herbs instead of salt. Also, stop feeding your kids processed sheeze laden with sodium. Anyone ever notice the serving size and the amount of sodium in Spaghettio's? Ridiculous. People should never touch a salt shaker since they get enough in their daily diet. It's disgusting the amount of sodium in foods geared towards children.
By the way, sea salt has the same amount of sodium in it. It's only healthier if you use less of it.
This post has been edited by justgettingby: 24 August 2011 - 09:07 AM
this topic reminded me of the tale that suggested that TA Edison, the inventor, conducted a salt test when considering hiring a new employee. Edison would presumably take the job seeker to lunch and have some soup brought for an appetizer.
The story goes that if the man salted the soup before tasting it, he would not be hired.
According to Snopes, similar stories exist for Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company, IBM and a number of other companies. The idea that one would salt their food before they tasted it suggested, according to the lore, that the would make other decisions without proper investigation. To wit: How did they know the soup or steak needed salt before tasting it? Obviously they didn't.
Snopes does bring in another point that is more pertinent to this conversation. It said another reason is that salting food untasted is actually insulting to the chef or dinner host upon whom the task of preparation includes salting the entree for maximum taste.
Hmmmm...maybe a blackmarket for salt at shools. could be money to be made.
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The only salt I have in my house is no salt and it is very rarely used... maybe on a slice of tomato
I do not cook with salt my whole family is use to not eating salt and when we go out to eat they can really tell if something has to much salt and they can not eat it.. I have never been a salt person.. but if you take my black pepper away from I will hurt you lol
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My cardiologist wanted me to cut out salt as completely as possible, no table salt, just one more draconian lifestyle change for me. My GP said that a little bit is fine, and since I eat most of my meals at home, I can pretty well control the amount of salt I take in. His theory is "everything in moderation". I can see it being a potential problem if you ate processed foods, potato chips, and bacon for every meal.
I know that my kids said that they weren't given salt packets in elementary school, which I can understand, because I can see a kindergartner dumping too much on a small portion of food and being unable to eat it. My new middle schooler is happy because they have been able to get salt... he loves grits, but not so much without salt. I'm the same way.
Suggestion for tasteless grits--
Get the grits and a sausage biscuit. Take the sausage off the biscuit and put it in the grits and he can get jelly for the biscuit.
First of all, All soda's are sugar free in the vending machines, second most kids waste the salt and pepper packages. They cant get one or two but a hand full and then toss the away in the trash.
Please remember that breakfast and Lunch at school is all some kids get all day. With the Economy has it is , parents are having problems paying for a place to live much less putting food on the table, So lets let the schools try and help with good nutrition because McDonalds, Wendy, Taco Bell put enough salt in their foods choices
First of all, All soda's are sugar free in the vending machines, second most kids waste the salt and pepper packages. They cant get one or two but a hand full and then toss the away in the trash.
Please remember that breakfast and Lunch at school is all some kids get all day. With the Economy has it is , parents are having problems paying for a place to live much less putting food on the table, So lets let the schools try and help with good nutrition because McDonalds, Wendy, Taco Bell put enough salt in their foods choices
Are you advocating school lunches or the vending machines? True all the sodas are sugar free but the candies and snacks in the machines sitting next to the soda machines are definitely not sugaar free.
I think the school cafeterias rock and they are some of the hardest working people I know. They absolutely take care of many kids that do not get anything at home. I just think it is not fair that they are the ones who are going to have to listen to all the kids and parents complaining about no salt when they are just following protocol.
Thirty-five years ago I was teaching "Developmental" first grade (don't ask) in a poor school in Augusta. My principal bought all new round tables for the lunchroom in bright colors. He wanted us to eat family style. My class took 3 tables and since I had an aide, we rotated amongst the tables and got to eat with everyone.
My students had always eaten cabbage, because it was a cheap veggie, but one day the gave every child 2 brussel sprouts!
They had never seen them before. We always went around the table and named the foods on our plates. Believe it or not, many did not know the names of the foods they were eating.
I asked them if they liked cabbage. Most did. I told them the brussel sprouts were baby cabbages and most were willing to try them then. Not everyone liked them but a lot of them did.
Oh, we weren't given salt but I'm sure they used it in cooking, and we didn't get many processed foods.
They should be educating children about diet ... not restricting it. That being said, too many people don't teach their kids. Therefore us few good apples have to pay the price for ALL the bad ones. As usual
Moved on to a more positive and enriching environment =)
I'll admit it:
My name is Fishnthec and I am a salt addict. My body actually craves it. Grits without salt...yucky. I salt granny smith apples, grapefruit, lemons, oh and my favorite drinks at the mexican restaurant wouldn't be the same without it. If salt is is ever really illegal I will be running an underground salt network.
I can't imagine mashed potatoes without salt. That is what my baby came home yesterday talking about.
We would all be better off if we didn't salt our food. There is so much salt already in the foods before we even take the first bite. Much healthier with no salt at all.
We would all be better off if we didn't salt our food. There is so much salt already in the foods before we even take the first bite. Much healthier with no salt at all.
Until everyone suffers from hyponatremia.
Who is John Gault? - He's the successful business owner who didn't want to play by the new 'Law of the Land' so he closed up shop, packed up his stuff and left. He was joined by many other successful business owners who did the same. They stayed away until the government begged them to return and repealed the law.
I can't imagine mashed potatoes without salt. That is what my baby came home yesterday talking about.
ooo...me either. I was raised in the south and we like our food seasoned. They feed them things like frito chili pie for lunch and then worry about the salt packets.
ooo...me either. I was raised in the south and we like our food seasoned. They feed them things like frito chili pie for lunch and then worry about the salt packets.
And this is why the Southern states are consistently rated as the Fattest States in the U.S. Has anyone seen this commercial about obesity in Georgia recently? http://youtu.be/ysIzX_iDUKs It's nothing to be all proud about.
justgettingby, on 26 August 2011 - 09:53 PM, said:
And this is why the Southern states are consistently rated as the Fattest States in the U.S. Has anyone seen this commercial about obesity in Georgia recently? http://youtu.be/ysIzX_iDUKs It's nothing to be all proud about.
Funny thing, well not actually funny, kind of sad really. I guess I should just say oddly enough, when in Pennsylvania (not a southern state) for vacation this summer, I noticed something unexpected (to me anyway), because I had heard that about the southern states being rated as the fattest also. I tend to eat fairly healthfully while at home. On vacation, I try to maintain my eating habits. So while food shopping in PA, I noticed that there aren't nearly the amount of healthful options that I have at home. For example, I like the high fiber tortilla wraps that tend to be lower in carbs. I guess they haven't caught on in PA or just that region or something. Trying to find whole wheat buns (and they had one variety of whole wheat bread, whereas here, there are at least four or five different varieties at Sam's Club alone) at a Sam's Club there was impossible. While on our travels, I didn't notice a disproportionately less amount of "fat" people the further north we went either. Just saying.
Tired of Bovine Excrement, on 26 August 2011 - 10:13 PM, said:
Funny thing, well not actually funny, kind of sad really. I guess I should just say oddly enough, when in Pennsylvania (not a southern state) for vacation this summer, I noticed something unexpected (to me anyway), because I had heard that about the southern states being rated as the fattest also. I tend to eat fairly healthfully while at home. On vacation, I try to maintain my eating habits. So while food shopping in PA, I noticed that there aren't nearly the amount of healthful options that I have at home. For example, I like the high fiber tortilla wraps that tend to be lower in carbs. I guess they haven't caught on in PA or just that region or something. Trying to find whole wheat buns (and they had one variety of whole wheat bread, whereas here, there are at least four or five different varieties at Sam's Club alone) at a Sam's Club there was impossible. While on our travels, I didn't notice a disproportionately less amount of "fat" people the further north we went either. Just saying.
Oh believe me, there are obese people everywhere. It generally goes by socio-economic status. When I visit the in-laws in Maine, they are no thinner than around here. But in general, yes, the Northern and Western states are a TON healthier than here. Just like the commercial says, "75% don't see it as a problem".
I find it interesting that so many people are pissed off about being "forced" to pay for healthcare. But no one seems to be pissed off that they will be paying for so many people who have such poor eating habits.
justgettingby, on 26 August 2011 - 09:53 PM, said:
And this is why the Southern states are consistently rated as the Fattest States in the U.S. Has anyone seen this commercial about obesity in Georgia recently? http://youtu.be/ysIzX_iDUKs It's nothing to be all proud about.
Oh my Lord...Do you really think that I am proud that the frito chili pie is on the menu? I was only saying that the corn chips, soaked in seasoned meat and cheese product are probably a bigger problem than the salt packets as far as nutrition.
BTW- I think you might find overweight folks all over the US.
Oh my Lord...Do you really think that I am proud that the frito chili pie is on the menu? I was only saying that the corn chips, soaked in seasoned meat and cheese product are probably a bigger problem than the salt packets as far as nutrition.
BTW- I think you might find overweight folks all over the US.
You are so right, kinda makes the whole thing look like a sham, feed the kids unsalted freshly prepared veggies then give them a choice of over processed salty fat food.
I was excited when I learned that they were going to start educating kids about nutrition, it sounds like lip service when they continue to have things like that on the menu.
Yes America is overweight, I think some health problems are specific to certain regions because of traditional foods, I think kidney stones are more common in the southern states and they don't know why.
Will there be real education? or just taking away salt and sugar.
I think moderation is the key, I already see the extreme being exercised.
What a shame people are going to resist this because of the way it is being implemented.
The problem with rules instead of education is that in the future they won't be able to make decisions for themselves. But, I suppose this is the way the Liberals would want it
Moved on to a more positive and enriching environment =)
We would all be better off if we didn't salt our food. There is so much salt already in the foods before we even take the first bite. Much healthier with no salt at all.
That is your opinion. And you're certainly entitled to it. I don't eat salt, I don't like it. My husband, on the other hand does. Who am I to tell him how to live his life ? Our lives are our own ... not yours, not the governments. Adults should be able to make educated decisions for themselves. Not from extremist .
Moved on to a more positive and enriching environment =)
Just like 2010 car sales would be disastrous, right? My Link Turned out to be a great year.
What was negative? Salt is a critical nutrient and you want to remove it from all food.
BTW - I still won't click on a link where the poster is too lazy to take 5 seconds to copy the title.
Who is John Gault? - He's the successful business owner who didn't want to play by the new 'Law of the Land' so he closed up shop, packed up his stuff and left. He was joined by many other successful business owners who did the same. They stayed away until the government begged them to return and repealed the law.
That is your opinion. And you're certainly entitled to it. I don't eat salt, I don't like it. My husband, on the other hand does. Who am I to tell him how to live his life ? Our lives are our own ... not yours, not the governments. Adults should be able to make educated decisions for themselves. Not from extremist .
I have a friend who is encouraged by her physician to eat salt because her body requires it. If she doesn't add extra salt, she will have to take a salt pill. When we sweat a lot, we lose salt also and need to replace it.
markdavd, on 27 August 2011 - 08:47 AM, said:
What was negative? Salt is a critical nutrient and you want to remove it from all food.
BTW - I still won't click on a link where the poster is too lazy to take 5 seconds to copy the title.
What we should be most worried about is sugar (not naturally found in fruit) and processed foods that are full of empty carbohydrates. Salt isn't making people fat. I grew up with parents who really had no idea about nutrition and was an overweight child. Once I learned about what is good for my body and how good it feels to exercise, I didn't want to go back to the way I had eaten and been growing up. Lately I have even been cutting out more sugar and simple carbs and feel even better and even lost a few more pounds to boot. So I have been on both sides of it. Just my opinion.
It is hidden salt and sugar we have to worry about, not the controlled amount we put on our food.
We like the strong flavors that come from the combination of both of these on our food.
I hardly ever eat potato chips, I eat a lot of veggies and unprocessed meat,I am not a fanatic I just naturally prefer these foods.
All I taste with chips is the salt, they have no other flavor to me.
I see processed food as more of an issue than simply adding table salt to taste, which we do at my house.
I can't imagine mashed potatoes without salt. That is what my baby came home yesterday talking about.
The school mash-potatoes have salt in them.. I have made them a few times and it comes with salt and butter in them. I don't eat a lot of salt at all. When I eat the potatoes at school they are almost to salty for me to eat.
Most food in the cafe comes already salted, so we don't add salt to anything. If you look at your can vegi's in your cabinet you will see there is a ton of salt in your can vegi's. Salt is also hidden in the meat you buy at the store. There is so much salt in everything already, why would anyone want to add more salt.
If you cut salt out of your diet, in a few weeks you will be amazed at how salty everything taste. Same with sugar. I removed sugar from my diet and now I can't even drink a soft drink. It is like trying to drink syrup, yuk. It is not easy putting down the salt shaker or the sugary drinks. But, once you do, food becomes so tasteful. You actually taste the food flavor, not the salt.
This post has been edited by orrby: 27 August 2011 - 09:29 AM
You are so right, kinda makes the whole thing look like a sham, feed the kids unsalted freshly prepared veggies then give them a choice of over processed salty fat food.
I was excited when I learned that they were going to start educating kids about nutrition, it sounds like lip service when they continue to have things like that on the menu.
Yes America is overweight, I think some health problems are specific to certain regions because of traditional foods, I think kidney stones are more common in the southern states and they don't know why.
Will there be real education? or just taking away salt and sugar.
I think moderation is the key, I already see the extreme being exercised.
What a shame people are going to resist this because of the way it is being implemented.
IF the Frito chili cheese thing is so full of salt, why would the kids need more salt to add to it. If it is there, believe me, they will add more salt to it. Just out of habit, salt before you taste.
The school mash-potatoes have salt in them.. I have made them a few times and it comes with salt and butter in them. I don't eat a lot of salt at all. When I eat the potatoes at school they are almost to salty for me to eat.
Most food in the cafe comes already salted, so we don't add salt to anything. If you look at your can vegi's in your cabinet you will see there is a ton of salt in your can vegi's. Salt is also hidden in the meat you buy at the store. There is so much salt in everything already, why would anyone want to add more salt.
If you cut salt out of your diet, in a few weeks you will be amazed at how salty everything taste. Same with sugar. I removed sugar from my diet and now I can't even drink a soft drink. It is like trying to drink syrup, yuk. It is not easy putting down the salt shaker or the sugary drinks. But, once you do, food becomes so tasteful. You actually taste the food flavor, not the salt.
EXACTLY! There is enough salt added to EVERYTHING already. There is no need for added salt. People need to start reading labels and educating themselves regarding salt and fats.