Tag Archives: back to school

Chef Ann Cooper’s Proposed Changes for a Healthier National School Lunch Program

The week of August 10 is Healthy Back to School Week at DietsInReview.com.

chef ann renegade lunch ladyChef Ann Cooper, also known as the Renegade Lunch Lady, has she’s made it her life’s mission to reform the way our children eat, and are fed, at school. Which is why we’re thrilled she’s a part of this special series. At ChefAnn.com, they say “She works to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students — one school lunch at a time.”

Yesterday, Chef Ann spoke about the National School Lunch Program Needing a Makeover. Her commentary continues now.

As for my team and I, we’d like to be spending all of our time and money feeding children delicious healthy food and educating them on where their food comes from and how it’s produced. To make this happen, the NSLP truly needs a makeover!

I believe that the following guidelines, if put into place, would help us focus on feeding children “real,” healthy and delicious food.

  • Make meals, both breakfast and lunch, a system where every child is fed every day. This would alleviate the need for free and reduced applications and tracking. (more…)
Posted on August 11, 2025 by GuestBlogger

Mocha Manual Mom Returns to Routine for Back to School

The week of August 10 is Healthy Back to School Week at DietsInReview.com.

kimberly seals allersKimberly Seals Allers is the author of The Mocha Manual series of books, editor in chief of Mocha Manual, the fastest growing online destination for Black moms and a noted expert on issues related to mothers of color. Her first book, The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and sparked her popular maternity tee shirt line. The series also includes The Mocha Manual to Turning Your Passion—How to Find and Grow Your “Side Hustle” in any Economy and The Mocha Manual to Military Life—A Savvy Guide for Girlfriends, Wives and Female Service members. An award winning journalist, Kimberly is a former writer at Fortune and senior editor at Essence. A divorcing mom of two, Kimberly lives in Long Island with her children.

Summer is all about running free and breaking rules. Anytime is playtime. Bye bye bedtimes. Lazy lounging days rule. And ice cream runs replace treadmill runs. It’s easy to lose your routine. That’s not always a bad thing.

For example, summertime turned my morning run on the treadmill into a group activity and a spectator sport. For weeks, my two beautiful children stood there watching me, asking every 30 seconds, “is it thirty minutes yet?”. (more…)

Posted on August 11, 2025 by GuestBlogger

Healthy Lunch Box Swaps that are Good for Your Kids

The week of August 10 is Healthy Back to School Week at DietsInReview.com.

Even at my age, I can’t help but get the back to school butterflies. I have always loved this time of year. I no longer have a need for fresh packs of pencils, new backpacks or new notebooks, but that doesn’t stop me from wandering down the aisles.sack lunch

One thing that I don’t miss about back to school are the lunches. That food is still just as terrible as it was 20 years ago. I have a little girl who I mentor, and I’m just shocked every time I walk in to that cafeteria at the trays full of Crustables, corn dogs and football stadium nachos. Thankfully people like Chef Ann and millions of moms across the country are taking steps to ensure our kids are eating more filling, more nutritious foods to power them through their days.

If you are one of those moms responsible for packing school lunches, then consider these easy lunch box swaps this school year. (more…)

Posted on August 10, 2025 by Natalie K

Chef Ann Cooper says the National School Lunch Program Needs a Makeover

The week of August 10 is Healthy Back to School Week at DietsInReview.com.

chef ann renegade lunch ladyIt’s a pleasure to have Chef Ann Cooper join us during our Healthy Back to School Week. She’s also known as the Renegade Lunch Lady, as she’s made it her life’s mission to reform the way our children eat, and are fed, at school. She is currently the director of nutrition services for the Berkeley Unified School District, where she has transformed the nutritional quality of food at 16 schools serving 9,000 students. In 2006 she released Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed our Children. At ChefAnn.com, they say “She works to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms for students — one school lunch at a time.”

Sometime in late 2026 or early 2026, the government will vote to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, which funds the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). I believe that the NSLP is in need of a complete overhaul. The inception of the program was predicated on the fact that there were malnourished children all across the country that couldn’t learn or think. As these same children grew into adulthood, they became a National Security liability, because many of them were too malnourished to become an active part of our armed forces. (more…)

Posted on August 10, 2025 by GuestBlogger

Healthy Breakfast Recipes for Back to School

The week of August 10 is Healthy Back to School Week at DietsInReview.com.

Guest blogger Rebecca Bailey returns to DietsInReview.com for Healthy Back to School Week. She is a stay-at-home mom to four little boys and is committed to fitness and health. She blogs at Life With Boys where she shares her experiences as a mom, and her journey toward weight loss and fitness.

breakfast burritoIt’s the most important meal of the day, yet so often it gets ignored or we eat something on the go that is loaded with sugar. Not exactly the way we want our kids to start the day, whether they are starting preschool, high school, or anything in between. What can we do on those rushed mornings to eat a healthy breakfast that can even be eaten on the way to school?

Plan ahead and freeze breakfast burritos. With whole wheat tortillas, scrambled egg substitute and a variety of toppings, these are easy to pop in the microwave and grab and go. Put your prepared burritos on a cookie sheet and freeze. Then place the frozen burritos in a zipper bag. This makes an easy, fast and filling meal. Try this recipe: (more…)

Posted on August 10, 2025 by GuestBlogger

Don’t Overlook Lunch with Back to School Plans

It’s approaching back to school time, so have you though about your child’s (or children’s) lunch?  It’s sad to say, but for the most part our school’s cafeteria food is extremely lagging in terms of providing healthy, nutritious meals.  Even more upsetting is the fact that little can be done to improve these meals… simply put, it comes down to budgets and money.

lunch boxI do have good news!  Packing your child’s lunch can help guarantee your child is receiving a healthy meal that will help them stay focused and be motivated at school.  Same rules apply here for your child as they do for you: limit the amount of processed foods (packaged cookies, chips, etc) you provide, pack water, milk, or 100% juice instead of soda, provide plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, and make sandwiches on whole grain/whole wheat bread.

Make it a group effort; you and your child can make the lunches together as part of your nightly routine before bed.  That way your child has a say in the foods he/she will eat, you provide education to why eating a healthy diet is important (and lead by example!). It allows for some extra bonding time, and you are laying the foundation for your child’s health and their future food choices.

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Kinsey