School Nutritionists Urged to Adopt New Guidelines

by Alex A. Kecskes

First Lady Michelle Obama recently remarked that nutritionists who prepare meals for schools have a greater influence over a child's diet that their parents. Since kids get about half their daily calories from school program lunches, it's not hard to see why these meals should be closely monitored.

With more children facing obesity than ever before--nearly one in three children--school nutritionists across the country have been given new guidelines to ensure children receive a healthy, balanced diet.

A recent study by the Institute of Medicine advised school nutritionists that their meals must reduce sodium, add fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and include a calorie limit. Parents are encouraged to support these efforts, since the new healthier guidelines are expected to raise the price of school lunches by up to 25 percent and school breakfasts by about 9 percent.

The new guidelines in the school lunch program will affect school lunches for more than 31 million children. Nutrition programs in the country are estimated to cost $24 billion this year.

The School Nutrition Association has embraced the new guidelines, which has been urging Congress to enact new nutritional guidelines for the school lunch program. Many schools have set up guidelines of their own, limiting sodium and calories, and adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their school meals. The new guidelines will even things out, provide a new healthful, anti-obesity benchmark and create consistency across the board.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

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