Increasing the length of lunch at school would really benefit the students. Even though we already have about 30 minutes, which may seem like enough time, it often doesn’t feel that way. By the time students wait in line, get their food, and find a place to sit, a good portion of lunch is already gone! This could lead to the students feeling rushed and stressed as they try to finish their food.

When the students feel stressed and rushed they tend to often try to finish their food quickly. Eating your food quickly is not a good thing. This is because when you eat your food too fast, you don’t allow your brain to process the fact that you are full. This could cause overeating and weight gain.

Overeating is also very unhealthy due to the fact that you would be consuming more calories, sugars, sodium, and processed fats than what’s recommended. If all you can think about in class is you being hungry, then that could cause your grades to go down because you’re too caught up in the fact that you still feel hungry even though you ate. If lunch were longer, students would have more time to actually sit down, relax and enjoy their meals. Instead of worrying about the clock, they could focus on eating at a healthy pace and having conversations with their friends. Taking time to eat slowly helps with digestion and allows the body to recognize when it is full, which can prevent overeating and other possible health problems.

Having extra time during lunch could give students a short mental break from their classes. School days can be long and sometimes overwhelming. A longer lunch period would allow students to recharge, clear their minds, and return to class feeling more focused and ready to learn. When students are calm and refreshed, they are more likely to participate, pay attention, and perform better academically. Overall, increasing the length of lunch at school would help students’ physical health and their academic success.