How Schools Can Eliminate Unhealthy Snack Foods and Drinks

In this three-part series, we explore what competitive foods are (http://bit.ly/1eK4DHs), the impact they have on kids’ health (http://bit.ly/1bNtDMC) and what schools can do to ensure all food choices are healthy choices for students. Follow the conversation and learn how to #BagTheJunk on Twitter.

Schools can provide students learning environments that foster good health, but it’s difficult to promote healthy options and eating habits when junk foods and sugary beverages are still an option for kids. Unhealthy snack foods and drinks hide in vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores and fundraisers.  Schools can further limit these options by following three recommendations from the Institute of Medicine:

1. Ban the sale of full-calorie sports drinks in schools
Sports drinks are often marketed as healthier alternatives to sugary sodas, but the average 20-ounce sports drink has 35 grams of added sugar – that’s 15 more grams than adolescent girls should consume in an entire day! In the 2010-2011 school year, 55% of middle school students and 80% of high school students could buy sports drinks at school. Learn more about the link between sports drinks and childhood obesity: http://bit.ly/18izwh6

2. Restrict the sale of caffeinated products in all schools
The USDA interim final standards allow caffeine in high schools, but growing body of evidence links caffeine to harmful health effects for students. One example of a popular caffeinated beverage offered in some high schools is energy drinks. According to research, 30%-50% of adolescents consume sugary energy drinks; just like other unhealthy beverages and snacks, students will likely drink them if they are available. Schools can help reduce the number of students who consume these beverages by removing them from vending machines and the cafeteria a la carte line.

3. Require that healthy food and beverage guidelines apply to all school fundraisers
More than 75% of schools nationwide hold between one and five fundraisers per year, and 25% of schools hold between five and 10 per year. When school fundraisers are exempt from nutrition guidelines, kids have easy access to junk foods like candy, cookies, donuts and pizza during the school day. Not only does eliminating junk food-centric sales help kids make healthier food choices, but switching to alternative fundraisers like car washes or walk-a-thons can boost students’ physical activity. Check out more ideas for fun, healthier fundraisers: http://bit.ly/16fHlk7

Has your school already taken action to remove unhealthy foods and beverages from school? Tell us your story by tweeting us @BagtheJunk or writing on our Facebook wall.