By Katherine Chan
Soon after the lunch bell rings, the specials, pizza and popcorn chicken run out while salads and fruits remain untouched. From a young age, people learn the importance of eating healthy and have a basic understanding of which food options are better for them. Yet, when making their lunch decisions, most people go for the less nutritious meal. Cafeteria meal prep numbers reveal just how strong these preferences are, raising the question: why do students still make these decisions despite knowing what is “better” for us?
Each day, about 1500 meals are prepared in the cafeteria kitchen. Months prior, the lunch staff meticulously planned how much to produce of each food based on the popularity of the item. Out of the 1500 lunches, more than 400 specials and 300 homemade pizzas are served, which are the foods that run out first. Sixty-five popcorn chicken meals are prepared while only around 8-12 sandwiches, burritos, tamales, hotdogs and whole grain tacos are planned to be served.
“The biggest number [of lunches] is going to be whatever the special is for the day. [It] seems to be the most popular,” cafeteria manager Patrick Ryan said. “We started making our own pizzas this year. This is the most popular thing after the specials.”
Although “healthy” can be subjective, the Fountain Valley High School Nutrislice app provides information to better understand the nutrition breakdown of each meal. When comparing the popular pepperoni pizza with the turkey sandwich, the turkey sandwich wins in nutritional value with 13.5 grams of less fats, eight more grams of protein and far less calories.
A similar pattern is shown when comparing the beef taco supreme “special” item with the grilled chicken caesar salad. The taco is shown to have 330 calories and 14 grams of fat, while the salad only has 270 calories and less than half the grams of fat. The caesar salad also offers more protein and contains less carbs. This highlights the distinct nutritional differences between popular and less-popular, but healthier options. Even though the caesar salad or turkey sandwich is lean, protein-rich, and overall more nutritious, it is rarely a student’s first pick.
“We get 20 salads every day, and the salads still go last. It is understandable if we are offering something like tacos,” Ryan said. “You know, when you have the choice, most people are going to take the tacos.”
Foods higher in sugars and fats trigger the brain’s reward system when consumed, releasing more dopamine when we eat these items. Therefore, lunch line chicken nuggets and pizza seem much more tasty and appealing, even if they are not the best option.
Furthermore, familiarity of the meals play a critical role in what gets chosen. Parents have a major influence on the foods children are exposed to at home and their overall attitude towards certain foods. If a student rarely eats salads or yogurt at home it explains why they would choose the more inviting choice of pizzas.
Ultimately, the choices students make in the lunch room depend on students’ personal habits and small everyday decisions. Of course, it is hard to resist the warm and tender beef and melted cheese in the beef supreme tacos. However, next time the lunch bell rings, take a moment to consider trying the other healthier options. You may find that the smarter choice could be just as satisfying while providing more energy and nourishment.
