As you know, students' diets and lifestyles are highly diversified. Whether for religious, moral or health reasons, an average of one in 10 children has special dietary needs or would regularly prefer a healthy, no-meat meal selection.

People may choose a vegetarian lifestyle for reasons of health, religion, environment, moral conviction or simply because they like varied cuisine. While it is difficult to get an accurate read on how many people avoid meat in their diets, over 30 million Americans have explored a vegetarian eating pattern and about 1/3 of U.S. teenagers think that being a vegetarian is "in."

Additionally, there are students, such as those with lactose intolerance, diabetes, or simply children that are overweight, who would benefit from a diet that leans more towards a vegetarian eating pattern.

To best understand the needs of those who choose to excude meat from their diet, we provide the following information. All of these varied dietary needs are mutually satisfied by offering plant-based, no-meat options with each meal you serve.

Religious Diets
(in alphabetical order)

Buddhist
No meat, fish or eggs.*

Hindu
No meat, fish or eggs.*

Kosher
No meat from animals with split hooves. No mixture of meat and dairy at a single meal.

Muslim
No pork other meat must be halal, generally prefer vegetarian meals at school.

Rastafarian
No animal products, canned or processed food, added salt or coffee.*

Seventh Day Adventist
No meat, fish, coffee.

Sikh
No beef, other meat must have been killed by one blow to the head.

Diets of Moral / Ethical Conviction

Vegan
No meat, eggs, dairy or honey.*

Vegetarian
No meat or fish. Depending on the type of vegetarian, they may also refrain from dairy and eggs, including those used in baked goods.*

*Note: These restrictions include no animal byproducts such as lard,animal based soup broth / stock, gelatin, animal shortening, etc.

Medical Conditions

Lactose Intolerance
Little to no dairy

An estimated 30 million Americans have some degree of lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is found in approximately 80% of American Indians, 75% of African Americans, and in 50-60% Hispanics. It is also common in people of Mediterranean origin.

Lactose intolerance is caused by the body's inability to break down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. In 2% milk (for example), 1/3 of the milk's calories come from lactose. Uncomfortable side effects include stomach pains, heartburn, diarrhea and vomiting.

While some students may have had their doctors diagnose this condition and be able to present doctors' notes exempting them from milk and milk products in their lunch regimes, many students bear their pains silently.

Suggested alternatives to milk include fortified juices, soy and rice milk.

Diabetes
Must monitor sugar intake, and cut back on fats and sodium, while simultaneously focusing on starches (whole-grain, complex carbohydrates are best), fruits, vegetables and low-fat proteins.

A Harvard study, published in the February 2002 Annals of Internal Medicine, of 51,529 male health professionals found those whose diets are rich in red meat, high-fat dairy products, and baked goods are 60% more likely to develop diabetes than are those who eat a more prudent diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which people have problems converting food to energy. It is the leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure and non-traumatic amputations, and a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis of diabetes II, formerly known as adult diabetes, is sharply increasing among children. When low physical activity is combined with a fatty diet, the risk of developing diabetes is doubled. Obese subjects have more than 11 times the risk of developing diabetes.

It's also important to note that over 16 million Americans have a condition known as pre-diabetes. HHS-supported research shows that most people with pre-diabetes will likely develop Type-2 diabetes within 10 years unless they make modest changes in their diet and level of physical activity. That means children in your lunch line are at risk for developing this serious illness unless they change their dietary habits away from junk foods, fast foods and diets high in fat and sodium. It is no coincidence that the same diet that helps prevent or cure diabetes also causes effortless weight loss, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, cleans out the arteries, and returns the body to excellent function.

A healthy diet is essential for children with diabetes. A diabetic must monitor sugar intake and cut back on fats and sodium, while simultaneously focusing on starches (whole-grain, complex carbohydrates are best), fruits, vegetables and low-fat proteins. Thus a plant-based diet will help the diabetic avoid large fluctuations in blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy body weight.

Food Service Menu
Overview | Why Serve A Plant-based Menu
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Veggie facts:

Over 30 million
Americans have explored a vegetarian eating pattern.

Health and taste are the top two reasons consumers are eating more meat-free meals.

About one-third of U.S. teenagers think that being a vegetarian is "in."

Aging baby boomers are taking a proactive approach to their health by eating more meatless meals.

Restaurateurs estimate that approximately 27% of meal requests are vegetarian.

American Dietetic Association

Some school cafeterias across the country are trying to accomodate these needs by serving more plant-based foods.