The vast majority of us look forward to lunchtime as a time of day to not only relax and spend time with friends, but also to also refuel our bodies for the rest of the day.  Personally, I can’t help but wonder about the food I am putting into my body, how it is made, and where it is coming from. I have chosen to pack my lunch ever since sixth grade, in fact I don’t think I have bought a lunch since then. But is it worth the time and effort to pack daily? I often wonder what the school offers when it comes to lunches. First of all, do they taste good? And second of all, are they actually healthy?

In my opinion, health is like a puzzle. There are many pieces that go into completing it, and all the pieces depend on each other to work at their best abilities. Medical conditions, illnesses, physical activity, mental wellness, and diet are all examples of puzzle pieces that play a role in overall health. So having a healthy lunch really can affect your long-term health.

I decided to learn more about what the school offers, and I ended up finding that the school does offer a lot of healthy options, but they also offer a lot of unhealthy options, so when buying a lunch, it is important to pay attention to what you are putting on your tray. Instead of grabbing the bag of doritos, maybe go for the apple, which has nutritious properties, like vitamins and fiber. The school also is very compliant with dietary choices and restrictions. They have a full menu of vegetarian and vegan options for those who prefer to go that route. The school does a good job of incorporating options for all dietary preferences and and food groups.

Everybody has their own opinion of what is healthy, and everyone’s body will respond differently to different foods. However, overall I would definitely say that the cafeteria has a lot of healthy options. However they also have quite a few unhealthy options, so next time, make sure to choose wisely when in the lunch line!