Reminiscing about school canteen snacks often brings to mind popular items like sausage sticks and nuggets. While delicious, these processed foods offered little nutritional value, especially for growing children and teenagers.
Photo via Facebook (Pusat Maklumat Pemakanan Negeri Kelantan)
In contrast, a primary school canteen in Kelantan is earning praise for its commitment to nutritious meals. The Nutrition Unit of Kelantan’s Health Department recently highlighted the efforts of SK Hamzah 1 in Machang, Kelantan, on their Facebook page.
The canteen's offerings are designed to ensure students enjoy healthy and balanced meals during recess.
Photos shared by the department reveal a variety of wholesome options available to the students. Freshly cut fruits, a selection of dry or soup noodles, fried proteins, vegetables, and drinks are all part of the menu. Notably absent are junk foods, processed items like fries, sausages, nuggets, chips, as well as tea and coffee.
The initiative received widespread approval from netizens. However, some pointed out that the canteen still sells fried items and the noodles appear plain. Addressing these concerns, the local health department acknowledged that while steaming or grilling might be healthier than frying, the taste preferences of children must also be considered. The goal is to strike a balance between health and palatability to ensure the food sells well.
Tahniah diucapkan kepada pihak sekolah & pengusaha kantin (Pn. Zaharah) @SK Hamzah 1 , Machang, Kelantan kerana berjaya...
Posted by Pusat Maklumat Pemakanan Negeri Kelantan on Wednesday 19 June 2024
Emphasising the quality of the food, the department noted, "What's important is that they are using real meat instead of processed alternatives like sausages. Additionally, we have encouraged the inclusion of more vegetables and protein in the noodles."
SK Hamzah 1's canteen sets a commendable example, proving that nutritious food can be both appealing and beneficial for schoolchildren.
