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School lunches get healthy makeover
The Daily News (Halifax) (Thu 02 Aug 2007 Byline: Ashley M. Heher) writes that as the federal government prepares to raise standards for food served in schools, vendors are rolling out healthier versions of lunchroom favourites. Now there are whole-grain pizzas and baked chicken nuggets, along with new offerings like hummus. It's all part of an uphill - and so far losing - battle to slow rising obesity rates. Government rules, which limit fat and require certain levels of vitamins and protein, are about to get tougher. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the national school lunch and breakfast programs, will announce changes by the end of the year.
But getting kids to choose broccoli florets over a fries-and-soda combo is a tall order. A recent Associated Press review of school nutrition studies found that classes on healthy foods and menu changes in the lunchroom have had little effect in altering generally bad eating habits of U.S. school kids. Food suppliers know that, and they are scurrying to find options that could become lunchroom favourites.
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