THIS is one of many vending machines at my local community college here in San Diego. All filled with the exact same garbage. THIS is my inspiration to keep trying to make a difference in my community. We can do better. Our lives depend on it.
"In the United States, each new generation is less well than the previous one, and each 18-year-old tends to eat a less balanced diet then he or she did at age 10. Most adolescents consume enough calories, but in 2009 only 14% of high school seniors ate the recommended three or more servings of vegetables a day."
14%? And only 3 servings a day? That serving probably includes tomato sauce on pizza too. Pitiful. Believe it or not, that excerpt comes from my college child development textbook. The very college allowing these vending machines. Something has to change here.
There was a big sign above this vending machine about counting calories. But this is not about counting calories. This is about fake food... genetically modified ingredients, food dyes, preservatives, refined sugar, and chemicals made in a laboratory designed specifically to make us want/crave/need more. And designed to make us sick. Sure enough, right next to this vending machine was another selling pepsi, gatorade, mountain dew, crush. The bookstore was even worse. I shudder to think about what is offered at elementary and high schools. How can we empower our youth to stand up to these food giants that care more about profits than they do their customers? How can we encourage them to value their bodies more and the power that they have when voting with their wallets for every meal? That is the question. I would love to hear your thoughts!