Have you ever eaten stale pizza or soggy french fries obtained from the lunch line? Us students have probably encountered this at some point in our lives and then ended up throwing it away. According to Vanco, studies show that many students throw away their school lunch due to its poor quality. But what if you packed your own lunch instead? Some reasons why you should pack your own lunch include that it’s more healthy, less costly, and could save you some time.
School lunches often consist of ultra-processed foods such as burgers or french fries. Based on the National Library of Medicine, this form of nutrition can cause health issues, including a 22% higher risk of all-cause mortality. This statistic demonstrates that school lunch is unhealthy and that it is better for you to bring your food.
In addition, when you pack your own lunch, you are able to control the nutrients you consume. Although many bring snacks, you also have the ability to pack fresh fruits and vegetables.
Another reason why packing your own lunch is optimal is because it can decrease obesity. According to Vanco, studies show that students who eat hot school meals are more likely to be obese and overweight than those who bring their own lunch.
Not only can packing lunch benefit your health, it is also less expensive. Based on the Home & Garden Information Center, people can save up to $16 per week or $800 per year if they don’t buy lunch.
Additionally, packing your own lunch can save time. Both students and parents may say that they don’t have enough time in the morning to pack lunch. However, National Public Radio states that those who waste time in the lunch line have less time to eat, end up throwing their food away, and don’t get enough nutrients. Furthermore, the Home & Garden Information Center states that students waste more time standing in line for lunch than packing their lunch.
Lastly, bringing your own lunch can help prevent food waste. According to the University of Penn State, 27-53% of students’ school lunches are thrown away. Compared to the 23% of school lunch wasted in Sweden, the 30% of food wasted in Spain, and according to the National Library of Medicine, the 37% of packed lunch wasted in the US, the amount of school lunch wasted in the U.S. honestly surprised me.
In conclusion, I believe that packing your lunch is for the better for you. Not only does it keep you healthy and saves money, it can also help the environment by reducing food waste. So the next time you buy lunch, just remember that it is not all that great.
