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Posted by Barbara Pytel May 6, 2006 |
For years teachers have watched students arrive early at school and buy a Dr. Pepper or Pepsi for breakfast. The kids have money, machines are in the school, and teachers can't do much. You can suggest that students eat a healthy breakfast, but it just isn't happening. A healthy breakfast is being served in the cafeteria, but students walk by and choose the Mountain Dew. Well, they will have to buy it somewhere else now. At least it will not be available at school.
Are All Soft-Drinks Banned?
No. High schools will be allowed to have diet soft-drinks in high schools if it is the policy of the local school to allow them. Some schools are not allowing any soft-drinks and pulling the machines for the next school year. California has banned all soft drinks in schools for the 2006-2007 school year. It will probably become a state by state and school by school issue.
Right now, this is a trial to see how the voluntary guidelines work. The beverage industry has been targeting teen-agers for a long time to drink the carbonated sugar water. Students even know which soda has more caffeine so they get a bigger "kick" for their money. Hey, here's a thought! Why not eat right, exercise and get more sleep so you don't need the "kick?"
Where Is The Pressure?
Former president Bill Clinton, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) and the head of the American Heart Association are pressuring the beverage industry to remove items with little to no nutritional value. That would be most of them, wouldn't it? Schools are not only filled with soda but also with "fruit juice" that may contain only 1 or 2% real juice. The rest is sugar leaving the juice no better than the soda. The industry is now trying to quickly shift gears to substitute with other products to prevent loss of revenue.
Students are exercising less and sitting more in school. They sit on computers more and shoot hoops less at home. The result of this is less fit children, increased obesity and tooth decay. And, the food pyramid that schools must follow has increased carbohydrates in the hot lunch program. The results have not been impressive.
How Did The Machines Get In There?
All schools could use extra money, right? So, the beverage industry began offering deals to schools. Schools could receive scoreboards if they agreed to place "X" amount of machines in the schools. Some companies split profits with the schools and this creates a slush fund that can be used for small, incidental needs. As the machines go out, so does the money.
Just What Will Be Allowed?
At the elementary level, everything may be banned. This includes diet-sodas, sports drinks, juice drinks, apple juice or grape juice. Water and possibly orange juice maybe be allowed for sale but in small containers, probably 8 oz.
Middle schools may see the same drinks offered but in 10 oz. containers. High schools will be a little different. High schools may allow 12 oz. beverages and a few diet drinks like diet soda, diet iced tea or lemonade. Water and sports drinks will be allowed if there are fewer than 100 calories per serving. Check out a bottle of Gatorade or sports drink. Good luck finding many that have few calories or carbohydrates.
There is also some discussion about possibly making more choices available after hours. The details are still being discussed. The bottom line is we want healthier kids.
What About Junk Food?
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission are calling on the food industries to limit their marketing campaigns toward children. It is presently voluntary which does not please many critics. The industry is also being asked to have cartoon characters promote healthy foods and eating habits. Kraft and Pepsi have made attempts to make portions smaller.
So, we will see how the industry can police itself. If it can't, there may be harsher regulations in the future. It may be up to local communities to force the changes.
Related article: Recess Becoming Obsolete
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.