Lunches around the world

                             

I find myself increasingly interested in reading up on the eating habits of other cultures.  Through my readings I have learned that social, economical, religious, environmental and political factors often influence how people eat.  I'm most interested in learning about the foods children are eating specifically as it pertains to their lunches.  

Many nations support a hot-lunch program in the school and below is a sampling of what some of the menus look like:

France - Grapefruit, grilled chicken and green beans, a cheese course, rice pudding and tangerines

Thailand - Red curry chicken, rice, sauteed pork and salad

Japan - Glass bottle of milk, bowl of rice, fish, pickled salad, soup with tofu and veggies

Norway - Open faced sandwich of cheese, meat and veg, milk, yogurt, fruit

Ukraine - Borscht (beet soup), sausages and mashed potatoes, boiled buckwheat, biscuits or pancakes

Taiwan - Rice, 2 or 3 veggies, meat, bowl of soup

India - Rice, cookies veggie curry, yogurt or buttermilk

Puerto Rico - Rice and beans, salad, meat and milk

The US - Burgers and fries, fizzy sodas

Interesting information, isn't it?  Of course, I do realize that this is a broad generalization, but I love to see how diverse the menus are and how reflective they are of the individual cultures.  One thing most nations do seem to have in common (except North American's) is that lunch is eaten as the main meal of the day - with dinner being made of simpler foods served in smaller portions.

I'd love to hear from all of you...What are your children eating for lunch these days?  Do they stay at school or go home?  Do they heat a hot lunch? Have a great Tuesday.... 

Comments

[allison]

As my children are currently in day care during the day they get a cooked meal at lunch which is often pasta, mac and cheese, sausages and mash potato, rice, chicken and veg etc. On firday they have "Junk" food which is hot dogs.

Next year my oldest will be starting "big" school and i will need to pack him lunch. Then i will be consulting your blog even more then ever!!! The norm here in South Africa is a sandwich, fruit, juice and something sweet - biscuits (cookies). We don't have the facility for cooked hot meals although there is a "tuck shop" at all schools where you can buy a roll with cheese, a savoury pie, crisps etc, all not very healthy. Most moms opt to pack a lunch box and give tuck money once a week as a treat...

[Wendi]

We homeschool, so my kids usually eat leftovers, or a pasta meal for lunch. Once a week or so, it's sandwiches (peanut butter and honey, which we call 'super sticky'.)
We tried your Honey dijon turkey meatballs a couple of weeks ago. A BIG hit at our house!

[Wendi]

I meant to suggest the book "What the World Eats". We checked it out from the library recently, and all of us were fascinated!

[Jan Scott]

I'm going to look for it, for sure. Thank you for the recommendation!

[Jan Scott]

I'm so glad to hear that you liked them and thanks for letting me know. My
boys really enjoy them as well.