The USDA has announced a “Smart Snacks in School” proposal to serve as guidelines for school snack offerings. These nutrition standards are
for all foods sold in schools, including vending machines, school snack bars and foods sold a la carte. To read the proposed rule and provide feedback and comments go to regulations.gov.
An emphasis will be placed on foods that have as their main ingredients whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein foods. Occasional bake sales and birthday treats can still be allowed.
In order to provide snack foods for students that are healthier, food products will need some modifications. For example, chips would still be allowed, in healthier versions such as baked tortilla chips, reduced-fat corn chips, and baked potato chips.
For our overall health and well being, children really need to learn about healthy food practices and make good decisions about their food choices. It would be a major step forward in our country’s health if we could concentrate more on real food – fresh, whole, organic foods. We need to eliminate junk foods, processed foods, artificial preservatives and taste enhancers in foods, GMO foods, and fried foods, especially for kids.
In this review period, until April 9, USDA is asking for input on this issue. Go to regulations.gov and state your concerns. When you access the site, type in “school lunch program” and then select: “National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Nutritional Standards for all foods sold in School“. Let the US Department of Agriculture and other agencies know how you feel about the food your children eat in school.
While you are on this site, read the proposal about adding sweeteners to milk. Tell them your concerns about the FDA proposal to add sweeteners to milk, which could include aspartame, even without identifying it on the label.
Lee Jackson
Nutrition Advocate
http://www.healthykidseatingtips.com
