What Students Around the World Eat for Lunch
“I’ll trade you my plantains for that kimchi!”
The school lunch you might be familiar with is that peanut butter and jelly sandwich packed in a signature brown paper bag. Yoohoo and Fruit Roll-Ups were also go-to sides, and let’s not forget Hi-C fruit punch.
Although American school lunches get a bad rap, new data shows they are actually getting healthier. The New York Times reports that nearly 80 percent of schools offered two or more vegetables per meal in 2014, up from 62 percent in 2000. Fruits are also appearing more on kids’ plates. Two or more fruits were offered in about 78 percent of schools, up from 68 percent in 2000. A third of schools even now have salad bars, according to the Times.
We know that being on the plate doesn’t necessarily mean kids are eating it. But what do school lunch plates look like around the rest of the world? This amusing Buzzfeed video compares how 12 different countries prepare the meal.
Take a look at the fare:
United Kingdom: Shepherd’s Pie, veggies, a pear, and yogurt.
United States: PB&J sandwich, chips, apple, Go-Gurt, and milk.
Cuba: Rice and ropa vieja (marinated beef)
Norway: Open sandwich, strawberries, and yogurt
Nigeria: Rice, beans, and plantains
France: Grapefruit, chicken, salad, a baguette, cheese, and rice pudding
Russia: Porridge and sausage
Mexico: Torta (Mexican sandwich)
Japan: Rice, mackerel, and pickled spinach
Philippines: Rice and lechon kawali (pan-roasted pork)
India: Rice, saag paneer (spinach and cheese), and dal makhani (lentil curry)
Korea: Purple rice, kimchi (spicy pickled cabbage), bulgogi (thin, barbecued beef), radish, and soup
Watch the full video to see what the dishes look like. What was your usual school lunch?
Check out more international foods:
9 Ways People Enjoy Ice Cream Around the World
