Neuqua is most recognized for its athletic and academic strength, but the health habits of students lack discussion. Most students at Neuqua can be seen buying and eating an assortment of unhealthy foods. These actions are not uncommon for schools in America due t
o the fact that America is characterized by its unhealthy eating habits and obesity. What should be questioned is what Neuqua can do to improve and be a healthier school.
As many students have noticed., the vending machines are closed during option periods. Although the reasoning behind the vending machines being closed is not directly related to eating healthy but rather to the contract agreements with the cafeteria food suppliers, it does provide an opportunity for students to eat healthier. The food provided in the cafeteria allows students to access a wider selection of healthy food options to eat. Thereby, the vending machines being closed forces students with money looking for food to go to the cafeteria and expose themselves to healthy options.
Although this offers students healthier options, students’ intent on eating unhealthy will continue to eat unhealthy regardless. The same goes for students intent on eating healthy will continue to eat healthy regardless of the circumstances that surround them. Some ways that students can eat healthier are by bringing their own healthier lunches to school and avoiding food options high in sugar and sodium. The unhealthy nature of students at Neuqua has become essentially an epidemic because the majority of Neuqua students are competitive athletes and with all of the exercise they get from their sports, they do not need to worry about weight gain. What students should understand is that their time in high school, with hard working metabolisms, is the time to establish healthy eating habits that will follow them through life.
Megan Wisniewski, Staffwriter
