New Nutritional Standards In American Schools

New Nutritional Standards In American Schools.
The days when US children can get themselves a sugary soda or a chocolate saloon from a boarding-school vending machine may be numbered, if newly proposed management rules take effect. The US Department of Agriculture on Friday issued novel proposals for the type of foods available at the nation's school vending machines and titbit bars. Out are high-salt, high-calorie fare, to be replaced by more nutritious items with less greasy and sugar. "Providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars will add to the gains made with the new, healthy standards for school breakfast and lunch so the shape choice is the easy choice for our kids," USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an intermediation new release.

The new proposed rules focus on what are known as "competitive foods," which contain snacks not already found in school meals. The rules do not pertain to bagged lunches brought to educate from home, or to special events such as birthday parties, holiday celebrations or bake sales - giving schools what the USDA calls "flexibility for formidable traditions". After-school sports events are also exempted, the activity said. However, when it comes to snacks offered elsewhere, the USDA recommends they all have either fruit, vegetables, dairy products, protein-rich foods, or whole-grain products as their major ingredients.

Foods to keep off include high-fat or high-sugar items - think potato chips, sugary sodas, sweets and sweet bars. Foods containing unhealthy trans fats also aren't allowed. As for drinks, the USDA is pushing for water, unflavored low-fat milk, flavored or unflavored fat-free milk, and 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices.