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Friday, January 18, 2008

Opinion: An Apple a Day Takes Our Choices Away

By Charles Yi, Courier Staff Writer

During fifth period the other day, I bought a box lunch consisting of popcorn chicken, Cheetos, and chocolate milk, and as I was taking out my wallet, I was prompted to take an apple. I told the lunch lady, "I'm not going to eat it, though. I'll probably just end up throwing it away." She replied, "I don't care. The state requires that students have a serving of fruit at lunch, sir."

I wanted to continue the conversation, but I decided not to due to the horde of angry students in line behind me.

As humans, isn't our ability to consciously exercise free will the one distinction between us and everything else? Am i not entitled to eat whatever I want?

I know the intent of this law is good, but where was the rationalization for such a rule "requiring students to eat a fruit" during lunch at school? Will eating one apple a day at school somehow negate all the processed junk food we eat? Not a chance. Will eating one apple a day at school promote a healthier change in our eating habits? Definitely not. If I don't want an apple, I don't want an apple. Please give it to someone who wants or needs it.

Posted by courier at 11:47:52. Filed under: Opinion

Comments

what's so wrong about eating a freakin apple? honestly, there are more important things to focus on rather than apples being given out to students.

and since when is it wrong for administrators to not want their students dropping dead in the halls from cardiac arrest from eating all the popcorn chicken and nachos and processed fat we eat? just eat a damn apple and shut up.

Posted by healthy isn-t a BAD thing at Friday, January 18, 2008 13:47:08

I don't think this is such a big deal, though the lunch ladies shouldn't make someone take an apple if they are just going to waste it, that is just wasting the school's money that they spend on the fruit.

But fruit is good, so I see no reason why you wouldn't want to eat it. =)

Posted by pippy at Friday, January 18, 2008 16:55:21

The poster is wrong in so quickly dismissing the significance of a seemingly minor, yet healty part of his lunch. Eating an apple a day will improve his overall eating habits as it is somewhat filling and healthy; it doesn't have to "negate" junk food; rather it is helping him avoid some junk food he would have eaten and replacing it with a completely natural and nutritious energy booster.
He is also shortsighted in thinking that a seemingly small change in his eating habits will not make a difference overall. In actuality, improving by small steps is really the most reliable way to make long lasting changes and develop good habits that you can maintain.

Posted by robert at Friday, January 18, 2008 18:50:21

hahahahaha!
jeez.

Posted by sun hi at Thursday, June 05, 2008 20:27:36

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