The Toronto District School Board is considering a controversial proposal designed to get students to eat healthier foods.

A task force on nutrition has recommended keeping middle school students on school grounds at lunch hour to prevent kids from buying junk food.

School board staff are endorsing most of the two dozen recommendations made in a report. But they want to review the proposal to keep middle school students on school grounds at lunch.

"By having young people stay in the school you can provide better options and also encourage them to bring in their own meals," said trustee Michael Coteau, who led the task force.

Grade 9 student Yannick Kabongo said he has lunch off the school grounds every day because he wants to get away from school — and the school cafeteria.

"Sometimes you just get tired of eating the same things over and over. We just want a change, so we just come outside and eat," he said.

The school cafeteria food also gets a thumbs-down from student Cleef Teliska

"It's always the same thing, and sometimes the pizza has just like, too much, grease in it."

Coteau said middle school cafeterias can't offer great food choices because so few kids stay at school for lunch.

He envisions healthy menu choices that make kids actually want to eat at school.

"Sushi or, you know, jerk chicken or butter chicken. These are great-tasting foods, and we can deliver those types of foods in our schools," he said.

A committee of trustees is set to vote on the task force recommendations later this week.