School lunches are now commonplace. Did you know that Japanese school lunches are said to be the “model of a balanced diet” and are attracting a great deal of attention from around the world?
In this article, we will look back at the history of school lunches in Japan and compare them with those in other countries to find out why Japanese school lunches are called the “model of a balanced diet” and are attracting worldwide attention. We will discuss the reasons for this.
History of School Lunch and Differences with Foreign Countries
The history of school lunch in Japan and How It came to be what it is today
School lunches in Japan were first provided in 1889 at elementary schools as a relief program for children from poor families. The school lunch program was temporarily suspended during the war, but was restarted after the war with the aid of UNICEF in order to help malnourished children in a situation where the entire nation was suffering from food shortages. In 1945, a formal law called the “School Lunch Law” was enacted, and school lunches became widespread throughout the country. The rate of dissemination gradually increased, and in 2005, a new law, the “Basic Law on Food Education,” was enacted. This law stated that schools as a whole should work together with the local community to promote nutrition education, and today, it is positioned as a part of education that teaches not only nutrition, but also eating manners, knowledge of food ingredients and nutrition, and food culture.
What are the big differences from school lunches in other countries?
One major difference between Japanese and foreign school lunches is the perspective of “food education. It is positioned as a part of the education of school lunch in Japan. The goal is not only to ensure nutritional balance, but also to help children acquire proper knowledge about food, think about their own dietary habits, and practice desirable eating habits. For this reason, school lunches are served in almost 100% of elementary schools, and children are encouraged to serve themselves as part of their dietary education. Most school lunch systems in other countries do not have a style in which the children take care of everything from preparation to serving and clean-up. In light of this situation, let us take a closer look at the reasons why school lunches in Japan are attracting so much attention.
Why Japanese School Lunches are in the Spotlight
Menus are designed by a nutritionist and nutritional values are calculated in detail
Each school or food service center has a school nutritionist, a specialist who manages the school lunch program. The nutritionist calculates and prepares menus that provide one-third of the energy and nutrients that children need each day. The nutritional requirements are not only fulfilled, but also selected with the children’s health in mind, including the best quality and locally sourced foods possible.
Five major nutrients are always incorporated
School lunches are designed to provide a good balance of the five macronutrients, which are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. In order to get a good balance of these five, a “one soup, three dishes” style meal is necessary.
The dishes can be divided into five groups: staple foods, main dishes, side dishes, milk and dairy products, and fruits (desserts). By combining these five as much as possible in menu planning, nutritionally balanced school lunches are provided.
This is why school lunches are called “the model of a balanced diet.”
Nutrition education activities during lunch time
Each school has its own unique approach in combination with instruction on nutrients and agricultural products contained in foodstuffs and committee activities.
For example, the nutrition teacher may visit the class during lunch time to explain about the ingredients used that day, or the students in charge may introduce their knowledge about the ingredients before eating, or broadcast the information during lunch time. Here, too, the children are encouraged to take the initiative.
Lessons integrating various subjects with school lunch ingredients
By utilizing learning materials related to various subjects as educational resources, such as ingredients and school lunch menus related to the content of subjects, we can further deepen understanding of healthy eating and the production, distribution, and consumption of food.
For example, in a social studies class in elementary school where students learn about Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate, teachers can use examples of the school lunches students eat every day to convey the importance of utilizing local products. Students can learn that efforts are made to incorporate locally produced items into school lunches as much as possible. The specific approach can vary depending on the grade level, and different teaching methods can be applied.
Individualized consultation and guidance
This program is conducted as an individualized remedy for issues that cannot be resolved during school lunch time or in the classroom.
Examples include problems related to “food allergies,” which are increasing year by year, and individual guidance with parents for children who tend to be obese or underweight.
Learning Etiquette at School Lunches
1.Preparation
The first thing the entire class does is prepare the eating environment. The students prepare their seats, wash their hands, etc., so that everyone can enjoy a pleasant and comfortable meal.
In addition, the students who will be serving the meal will prepare themselves with aprons, masks, hats, etc., and conduct health checks. Then, they serve the meals, adjusting the portions for each student to ensure that everyone gets enough to eat. The homeroom teacher may also check to make sure that the food is evenly distributed and that the dishes are arranged correctly.
2.Dining together
Before the meal, we always say “Itadakimasu” (Thank you for the meal), and at the same time, we inform everyone of the day’s menu.
During the meal, participants learn the manners necessary to enjoy the meal, such as how to hold the tableware and chopsticks, posture during the meal, not getting up from their seats, and not talking with something in their mouths.
3.Tidying up
Everyone will work together to clean up afterwards according to each school’s rules. They are instructed to put the same plates together, to align the direction of chopsticks, and not to leave rice grains in the bowls, etc.
School lunches in Japan play a role as “health education” to cultivate habits of leading a diet that considers one’s own health. Rather than choosing meals based solely on likes or dislikes, students learn to select meals that contribute to their health. Additionally, they develop manners and foster relationships by considering others.
Lastly, we would like to introduce an interesting izakaya that is a little different from the nutritionally balanced school lunch.
「個室居酒屋６年4組」 recreates the traditional Japanese school lunch menu and atmosphere. The restaurant is built in a school style, and you can enjoy nostalgic school lunch menus such as fried bread, wakame gohan, and soft noodles, as well as unique and creative dishes. It is a popular restaurant with locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. It is also recommended for tourists who want to experience the atmosphere of Japanese school lunch!
reference：https://kururan.jp/
