By Fran Eaton -
Few things are more disturbing to a mom than hearing a helpless newborn crying, her pigtailed preschooler spitting out a half-eaten carrot or her pre-adolescent cherub groaning, "Where's the food? I'm hungry!"
On the other hand, few things are more delightful to that same mom than calming that infant's or preteen's hunger pains with exactly what they want, how they want it and as they like it. And all the time, with food good for them.
That natural reaction moms experience is what makes them the best nutrition experts known to mankind. Who could ever have imagined that the role of the family Nutrition Nanny was about to be taken over by the Feds? But it has been - thanks to then-House Speaker Nancy "you-have-to- pass-the-bill-to-find-out-what's-in-it" Pelosi and the 2010 Democrat-controlled Congress, and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
With the advent of the school year, new nutritional policies from the Act are now in effect nationwide. Kids are complaining, moms are miserable and teachers are hearing about it.
So what's the big deal with the United States Department of Agriculture helping feed American kids? Busy moms should appreciate help from good ol' Uncle Sam, right?
It's not as simple as it looks to a federal bureaucrat.
Food is not only necessary for all living creatures' sustenance and growth, for humans, food distribution and consumption is part of a human child's social, emotional and intellectual development.
Food is not just fuel, its delivery is tied to natural social development. Every mom is well aware that holding a baby during feedings can be a major factor in a new baby's ability to thrive. That emotional food connection continues through first solids, finger foods and eventually total feeding independence. Conversations around the breakfast or dinner table builds a child's communication abilities and self-awareness. In its ideal presentation, food is a source of pleasure and provides an opportunity for healthy social interaction.
That's just some of the reasons why moms should slam the door on the Big Bad USDA Wolf's hairy, intrusive snout into their kids' lunches.
With the newly-enacted Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the USDA has the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods regularly sold in schools during the school day, including vending machines, the “a la carte” lunch lines, and school stores. The USDA will audit schools to see if they're abiding by the new USDA standards, and financial rewards will bestowed upon those schools that offer what the USDA requires. More children will be added to the free school lunch program while those who pay for their lunches will pay up to 50 cents more.
One of the USDA's new standards is limiting caloric intake for high school students to 850 calories - a shockingly small limit for teens involved in sports, athletics and still growing. How would a USDA- approved meal look compared to what has been offered for decades? The White House provides a comparison chart (click on image to enlarge)
For Friday, the chart says - school kids will have the morning to dream about a luscious lunch awaiting them in the school cafeteria that consists of 2 ounces of oven-(over) baked fish nuggets with a whole wheat roll, a half cup of mashed (instant) potatoes, a half cup of (lukewarm) steamed broccoli, room temperature canned peaches, packed in juice and skim milk, a sampling of packaged tartar sauce and soft butter.
All compliments of the Federal Government - with First Lady Michelle Obama's personal oversight.
S. 3307 - which all Illinois Republican Congress members opposed and all Illinois Democrats supported - was also a major project of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. On December 13, 2010, the former Iowa governor crowed the program would cause the USDA to be "more aggressive" in correcting America's childhood obesity and hunger problems.
“Today is a great day for kids throughout our country as they will soon have healthier, and more nutritious food in their schools. As we continue to focus on the twin issues of childhood obesity and hunger, we will increase access to good, quality meals in school cafeterias so the nutritional needs of our youngsters are better met. The President and First Lady have advocated strongly for passing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, and, this bill, along with the resources and the powers provided under it, are going to allow USDA to be much more effective and aggressive in responding to obesity and hunger challenges for America’s kids.”
And the USDA's nutrition emphasis won't be just in schools - it will also reach into your babies' nurseries. Indeed. The Healthy Kids Act of 2010 also encourages both working and stay-at-home moms to breastfeed through an expansion of the Women Infant Children [WIC] program.
So, how do you like that, moms and dads? The Obamas are using their executive privileges to take away independence, liberty and responsibility for your families out of your hands. After all, if you had done your job like you should have, your kids wouldn't be overweight, they'd be healthier and the world would be a better place.
Up until this outrageous growing Government Nannies effort, the home - the HOME - was the center for health, education and welfare. Parents were entrusted to do what's best for their children, without the oversight of the USDA. Did kids always eat the right thing? No. Did parents succumb and buy kids Happy Meals now and then? Yes. Did America survive? Yes.
But this new USDA program is yet another entitlement program that taxpayers will be required to fund. Billions are promised to fish nugget and skim milk providers that are likely to be political cronies. Vending machines will be stocked with only USDA-approved items. Your children and you will have only options that the USDA promotes.
If you, as a parent, find this new program an intrusion into your children's tummies, just wait. Obamacare will multiply these invasive efforts exponentially. And know - Government Nannies do not tolerate rebellious wards.
Re-electing the Obamas in November means that American moms and dads want more USDA- and HHS- approved lives. Let's hope real Nutrition Nannies - yes, moms and dads - stand up, unite and fight back now, while this ridiculous Government Nanny program is still reversible.
Join the movement on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NutritionNannies
Copyright 2012 - Illinois Review
