It’s easy to make fun of someone’s weight and shame them for eating when the culture around food is shortsighted. You’re either fat or skinny. The conversation around food becomes shameful and guilty. And it isn’t just about how many calories you are eating – it is also about the people you’re eating around. 

The lunch room has helped lessen this animosity by making food options more diverse and yummy. From tamales to fried rice, the stigma around food is slowly being broken down through cultural similarities. 

In recent years, the variations in the cafeteria menu has helped create a safe space for any food and any portion. It’s hard to skip lunch when there are so many options. There has to be something you like in one of the many choices offered. Whether it’s a baked potato or heading over to the nacho line with your friends, there is a spot for everyone somewhere in the lunch room.

The food you eat isn’t just a necessity of survival but also a bonding one. Eating around others takes trust. It shows you are comfortable around them. Instead of thinking about who you’re eating with, you’re going to think about how much you’re eating. When your food is pre-portioned and calories are unknown, it creates a safer eating environment. 

Having a welcoming cafeteria staff doesn’t hurt either. The servers on campus always make sure to smile and even learn names. Doing extra tasks like this helps create a community in the lunch room. 

All of this can lead to a healthier school environment overall. Once you have a full belly and good conversation, it’s hard to be angry at anything. With a new outlook on eating, the whole cafeteria can change. Instead of somewhere you are forced to go, it can be a place to share cultures and conversations.