Healthy Snack Standards in Schools Schools sell a variety of snacks and beverages in vending machines, stores, a la carte lines, and other venues. Some states and districts have set nutrition standards for these foods, but current guidelines fro the U.S. Depart e t of Agri ulture have ’t ee updated i ore tha 30 years. Thus, a majority of students attend school in states where a wide variety of lesshealthy options are available every day. With roughly 1 in 3 young people overweight or obese, it’s ti e to ake sure that all of our hildre have a ess to healthy s a ks i s hool. Snacking in Schools Many children spend more time in school than any other place besides home.
Kids consume up to half of their daily calories in schools.
About 40% percent of all students buy and eat one or more snacks at school.
68% of students buy and consume at least one sugary beverage like sports drinks or fruit punch per day at school.
Schools and Student Benefit From Strong Nutrition Standards Children and teens gained less weight over three years if they lived in a state with strong policies on school snacks than if they lived in a state without such standards. Philadelphia, New York City, Mississippi, and California have all reported declines in childhood obesity rates. Each of these locations has nutrition standards for school snack foods and beverages. Schools benefit financially from implementing nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages. Research shows that on average food service revenue increases or remains flat when the guidelines are applied.
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Voters Support Nutrition Standards Eighty percent of American voters favor national nutrition standards that would limit calories, fat, and sodium in snack foods sold in U.S. schools and encourage the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy items. More than 200,000 supportive comments were sent to USDA on a proposed rule to update national nutrition standards for school snack foods and beverages. Before and After: A Look at the Snack Food Environment
Schools Can Serve Healthier Snacks Thousands of schools across the country have already implemented nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages. Now is the time for all students to have access to the healthier options. Updating national guidelines for snack and a la carte foods in schools would mean that the healthy choice is the easy choice for all students, no matter where they live.
Post inspired by: http://www.healthyschoolfoodsnow.org/snack-facts-raising-the-bar-for-nutrition-standards-in-schools/
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