Lowder figures it like this: If she keeps serving the same old lunch foods, such as french fries and fried chicken nuggets, students will choose them every day.

But take those away, and what happens?

They are forced to try a variety of healthier choices, including salads and sub sandwiches and grapefruit.

"They need to try other things," she said. "If they can always go back to what they've always got, they will."

In that spirit, Central has cut back serving baked chicken nuggets to three days a week, instead of every day.

The cafeteria also serves pizza only three times a week now, instead of every day. And next year, that will be made with whole-grain crust and other healthier ingredients, Lowder said.

Heading for the Mexican food station, she talks as she scoops up a sample of the chicken fajita meat, covered in a homemade glaze.

"It is so good, you've got to try it, because if you eat it, you're going to love it," she croons. "Our salsa is homemade, too, with fresh cilantro."

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