posted February 17, 2005 12:11 AM         

H ealthy diet improves life in wisconsin school

OCTOBER 14. In Appleton, Wisconsin, a revolution has occurred. Its taken place in the Central Alternative High School. The kids now behave. The hallways arent frantic. Even the teachers are happy.

The school used to be out of control. Kids packed weapons. Discipline problems swamped the principals office.

But not since 1997.

What happened? Did they line every inch of space with cops? Did they spray valium gas in the classrooms? Did they install metal detectors in the bathrooms? Did they build holding cells in the gym?

Afraid not. In 1997, a private group called Natural Ovens began installing a healthy lunch program. Huh?

Fast-food burgers, fries, and burritos gave way to fresh salads, meats "prepared with old-fashioned recipes," and whole grain bread. Fresh fruits were added to the menu. Good drinking water arrived.

Vending machines were removed.

As reported in a newsletter called Pure Facts, "Grades are up, truancy is no longer a problem, arguments are rare, and teachers are able to spend their time teaching."

Principal LuAnn Coenen, who files annual reports with the state of Wisconsin, has turned in some staggering figures since 1997. Drop-outs? Students expelled? Students discovered to be using drugs? Carrying weapons? Committing suicide? Every category has come up ZERO. Every year.

Mary Bruyette, a teacher, states, "I dont have to deal with daily discipline issues -- I dont have disruptions in class or the difficulties with student behavior I experienced before we started the food program."

One student asserted, "Now that I can concentrate I think its easier to get along with people..." What a concept---eating healthier food increases concentration.

Principal Coenen sums it up: "I cant buy the argument that its too costly for schools to provide good nutrition for their students. I found that one cost will reduce another. I dont have the vandalism. I dont have the litter. I dont have the need for high security."

At a nearby middle school, the new food program is catching on. A teacher there, Dennis Abram, reports, "Ive taught here almost 30 years. I see the kids this year as calmer, easier to talk to. They just seem more rational. I had thought about retiring this year and basically Ive decided to teach another year---Im having too much fun!"

Pure Facts, the newsletter that ran this story, is published by a non-profit organization called The Feingold Association, which has existed since 1976. Part of its mission is to "generate public awareness of the potential role of foods and synthetic additives in behavior, learning and health problems. The [Feingold] program is based on a diet eliminating synthetic colors, synthetic flavors, and the preservatives BHA, BHT, and TBHQ."

Thirty years ago there was a Dr. Feingold. His breakthrough work proved
the connection between these negative factors in food and the lives of children. Hailed as a revolutionary advance, Feingolds findings were soon trashed by the medical cartel, since those findings threatened the drugs-for-everything, disease-model concept of modern healthcare.

But Feingolds followers have kept his work alive.

If what happened in Appleton, Wisconsin, takes hold in many other communities across America, perhaps the ravenous corporations who invade school space with their vending machines and junk food will be tossed out on their behinds. It could happen.

And perhaps ADHD will become a dinosaur. A non-disease that was once attributed to errant brain chemistry. And perhaps Ritalin will be seen as just another toxic chemical that was added to the bodies of kids in a crazed attempt to put a lid on behavior that, in part, was the result of a
subversion of the food supply.

posted February 17, 2005 01:38 AM         

Very interesting though!

posted February 20, 2005 02:04 AM         

I've got to mail this to my mom. She is more knowlegeable about the serious connection that food has in it's link to mental, physical, emotional health more than anyone I know. She could talk for days about the importance of diet. And it's all so very true. She will enjoy this. Thanks for posting it Sun.

posted February 20, 2005 11:54 PM         

Not til I had my kiddo did I start actually reading the labels on these "foods" that we eat.

Geezuspleezus.