Originally published August 22 2005
Pittsburgh school adopts special menu for athletes
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The specially-designed healthy lunches will be available to all students and are part of a nutritional education program at a Pittsburgh school.
Metz and Associates, Allegheny Valley School District's food-service provider, is running a pilot program at the high school called Dyna-Fuel Meals for Athletes.
The program provides lunches with complex carbohydrates to ensure athletes are ready to compete in afternoon practices and games.
The planning stages for the program go back to May when high school track coach Pat Valenti approached the district's food service director, Rod Stewart, and said one of his players vomited lunch during a workout.
"(Valenti) asked if there was any way we could produce meals that are more suited for athletes than regular school lunch," Stewart said.
"Our school lunches do meet certain requirements based on National School Lunch Program guidelines, but (Meals for Athletes) lunches are more finely tuned than your average school lunch."
"The water is about hydrating them before the activity," Stewart said.
To draw attention to Dyna-Fuel, Stewart printed fliers with the program's purpose and menu, talked to coaches about its benefits, and ordered orange lunch trays to serve the meals on.
Other students will wonder why someone has an orange tray."
Although the program is catered for Springdale's 385 student athletes, of a total 600-student population, Stewart said it's about more than having the energy for practice or games.
"We want to encourage students to eat healthier, and this is a good option," he said.
The push to healthier eating in the district started last year when the food service workers stopped frying foods.
The guidelines apply to all grade levels and, although they're voluntary, they're still strict.
For example, all portion sizes must be regulated.
Vending machines are not to be available for students in grades K to 5, minimally available for grades 6 to 8, and heavily regulated for high school students.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml