Too [Sweet] for School

It’s that time of year again! Everyone is heading back to school in the next couple weeks. Heck, some may already be back! The end of August is full of excitement and anticipation, but many are also saddened that another summer has come to a close.

With everything going on this time of year, kids should not have to worry about what school cafeterias are feeding them. While the USDA has implemented higher standards for school meals and snacks, there are some lingering issues. Back to school is a bittersweet time, but are school snacks still too sweet?

The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires the USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, beyond the federally funded programs. The new rule attempts to balance science-based nutrition with practical snack replacements.

The health of today’s school environment is continually improving. Students across the country are being exposed to and offered healthier school lunches with more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. These health regulations are there not only to ensure that kids are offered tasty and nutritious foods at schools, but also so they learn how to live healthy lives.

The USDA Standards state that any food sold in schools must:
•Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
•Have as the 1st ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
•Be a combination food that contains at least 1⁄4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
•Contain at least 10% of the daily value of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the [2010] Dietary Guidelines for Americans (i.e. calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber).

Calorie limits, sodium limits, fat limits, and sugar limits have also been implemented for meals and snacks. However, here is where many believe the problems exist. While the standards are much better than what has happened in schools in the past, they are still rather high. For example, an item cannot have more then thirty-five percent sugar. Thirty-five percent is quite a lot! It allows products like “Yo-Crunch,” a yogurt with candy toppings to be served daily.

Many people are up in arms because there are also no standards for sugar in drinks, particularly dairy products (like milks). Rather, there on limits on portion size. While portion size is important, it seems like this lapse may be no lapse at all. By keeping the guidelines for sugar high, schools may not have to change the companies they purchase from, saving them a great deal of money. While saving money and implementing it into other aspects of education is reasonable (if not admirable), kids health should not have to be sacrificed. If the USDA is going to set health standards in schools, they should not do it halfway.

What do you think about school lunch standards?
Check out: http://www.fns.usda.gov/about-fns/ for more information.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/about-fns/

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/allfoods.htm

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/allfoods_flyer.pdf

http://organicconnectmag.com/smart-school-snacks-let-the-usda-know-your-thoughts/

Written by Stacey Terlik