Studies show that 4-6 percent of Americans actually follow a vegetarian diet (excluding fish as well) and approximately 2.8 percent follow strictly vegetarian, or vegan, diets.

Unfortunately, most school lunch programs do not offer nutritionally viable vegetarian options. Most school lunch programs have begun to offer salad bars for students, however, a healthy vegetarian diet is not comprised of iceberg lettuce and fatty salad dressing. Furthermore, animal products are integrated into almost every meal option so that no vegetarian alternative is even available. A student cannot order an animal product-free burrito because the lunch program combines the beans with cheese and meat.

Schools need to be more conscious of the students who have special needs or who are committed to living an ethical and healthy lifestyle.

Morgaine Fehlauer

Brighton High School student

Sandy