Everyone needs food for energy, but most people, especially students, are particular about what they eat at lunch. As such, the high school has long accommodated everyone’s unique flavor profiles by operating multiple lunch lines. Lunch lines A, B, and C serve variations of common lunch foods, while line D serves salad. Though many have an idea of what makes a good lunch, students should be mindful of how different priorities and goals affect other’s food choices.
Some students are concerned about the taste when choosing their food items. Mason Starr, a junior and track runner, expressed his dislike of the same food choices every week. “The pizza is in the lunch options way too much,” said Mason. Variety is vital when eating for enjoyment, and the school often serves the same lunch at different lines, adding to the monotony. Despite the repetitive menu, he likes adding ketchup, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard to his lunch to enhance its taste.
The salad bar is attractive to students who care about their overall health. Football player John Sharp goes to the salad bar daily because he believes in healthy eating. “I just get it because some of the school lunches aren’t really the best,” John explained. He represents those who eat whole foods for lunch because they are mindful of their lasting-term impact on the body.
Mason Starr and John Sharp are athletes who achieve their goals differently. Even though Mason mostly eats for pleasure, his lunch helps keep him full during his workouts. Conversely, while other athletes avoid greens because they think they are not nutrient-dense, John finds that mixed salads, like Caesar salad, give him enough protein to support his fitness goals. Despite how both students eat fundamentally different lunches, they continue to be successful in their athletic endeavors.
People like choosing foods that align with their values whether it is enjoyment, health, or protecting the planet. Though it may be easy to judge one student based on their choice from a few options, it is important to understand the thought that goes into meal planning.
